The Houston Texans have officially released veteran running back Joe Mixon, as reported by Adam Schefter. The decision comes after Mixon requested to be let go, leading to the franchise freeing up $8 million in cap space, although it will also incur $2 million in dead money.
Mixon’s tenure with the Texans has been marred by injury, as he spent the entire previous season on the non-football injury list due to a foot and ankle issue that has remained somewhat ambiguous. Earlier this year, NFL insider Aaron Wilson indicated that not only was Mixon unlikely to return to the Texans, but there were also doubts about his future in the league.
Originally drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, Mixon was re-signed to a lucrative four-year, $48 million extension during the 2019 season. He was traded to the Texans in 2024 for a seventh-round draft pick, shortly before agreeing to a three-year contract extension with Houston worth $27 million, which included $14 million in guaranteed money. At the time of his release, Mixon had been scheduled to enter the final year of that contract, which included an $8.5 million payout.
During his 2024 season with the Texans, Mixon showcased his abilities by playing in 14 games, during which he rushed for 1,016 yards on 245 attempts and scored 11 touchdowns, alongside catching 36 passes for 309 yards and an additional touchdown. Despite the ups and downs of his career, as Mixon embarks on a new chapter, it remains to be seen what opportunities may lie ahead for the talented running back as he seeks to rejuvenate his career.