The signs are pointing to Cincinnati Bengals Pro-Bowler not returning in 2023
The signs are pointing to a Cincinnati Bengals Pro-Bowler not returning in 2023. On Sunday, in the Bengals' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon played just 23 snaps compared to Samaje Perine's 43 snaps. It was the second time in the playoffs that Mixon has played fewer snaps than Perine […]
The signs are pointing to a Cincinnati Bengals Pro-Bowler not returning in 2023.
On Sunday, in the Bengals' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon played just 23 snaps compared to Samaje Perine's 43 snaps.
It was the second time in the playoffs that Mixon has played fewer snaps than Perine (Mixon played 26 snaps in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to Perine's 31 snaps).
Some fans and analysts have suggested that part of the reason why Mixon played fewer snaps than Perine was because the Bengals needed to use Perine as a pass blocker due to the pressure the Chiefs were bringing.
But that's not exactly accurate. According to Pro Football Focus, Perine pass blocked just four times against the Chiefs.
It appears that Cincinnati simply prefers Perine over Mixon in important games. And that's a problem considering Mixon's cap hit was $11.4 million in 2022 and it's scheduled to be $12.7 million in 2023.
That's a lot to pay someone who isn't on the field more than the "backup" in the biggest game of the season despite being healthy.
The Bengals are already heading toward a situation where they can't have any wasteful spending. Quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to receive a lucrative extension in the offseason. And wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will be eligible for an extension after the 2023 season.
Cicninnati needs every bit of cap space they can get to keep the core of their team together.
Do they really need to commit $12.7 million in cap space to Mixon next season when he only played 35 percent of the snaps in the AFC Championship game?
It seems highly likely that the Bengals will move on from the former Oklahoma standout. If they release him this offseason, they'll face a dead cap hit of just $5.5 million. If they designate him as post-6/1 release, that dead cap hit can be spread out over the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
I think the Bengals would love to have Mixon back. But it doesn't really make financial sense to bring him back in 2023 when that money could be better spent elsewhere.
I'm sure the Bengals will digest this loss before making any major decisions, but Mixon's status with the team is certainly something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks/months.
Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
