Could new Texans RB Joe Mixon be missing piece for the offense in 2024?
Jan 7, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Stroud played hero ball regularly during his record-setting rookie season for the Houston Texans.
In short, he had to since the run game headlined by Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce was underwhelming at best amid a run through the postseason. Singletary at least caught wind down the stretch, but the damage was done for a bottom-10 finish in the league.
The Texans knew prioritizing the run game was a must this offseason. They had conversations with Singletary to return as a secondary option, but he elected to join the New York Giants on a three-year deal.
Speaking of New York, Houston remained in the hunt for Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley down to the final seconds, but he chose to join forces with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.
Houston never panicked and overspent for whatever was remaining. Instead, Nick Caserio pivoted to the trade market once rumors swirled that Pro Bowler Joe Mixon was getting cut in 24 hours, offering Cincinnati a seventh-round pick for a one-year rental.
And instead of being caught in a similar spot next offseason, Houston handed Mixon a three-year, $27 million extension to become the ground game's mainstay. Should he continue to be the same volume-esque runner at NRG Stadium as during his time in Cincinnati, that could separate Houston from a promising roster to a Super Bowl-front-runner one.
"It doesn't matter what run scheme you run, he has run zone schemes, he has run gap schemes, he has been used as a receiver, he has really done everything," Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said.
Consistency will always be the word of conversation when discussing Mixon's role in Houston. It was a reason he served as a mainstay for Joe Burrow in Year 2 as the Bengals clinched their first AFC title since 1988.
Mixon, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2017, averaged 4.4 yards per run during his seven seasons as the Bengals' lead runner. He surpassed the 1,000-yard marker four times and currently has the seventh-most rushing scores among active runners with 49.
Where Mixon differs is in the receiving game. Yes, people will turn to Jake Browning's inability to extend plays deep following Joe Burrow's season-ending thumb injury to Mixon's success, but the 27-year-old actually totaled more targets (75), receptions (60) and yards per catch (7.2) with Burrow in 2022.
His 283 receptions rank seventh among active running backs while his 7.6 yards per catch rank eighth. And outside of his rookie campaign when he averaged 9.6 yards a play, Mixon has scored at least one touchdown through the air.
"He is just a really good running back, in all regards," Slowik said.
Houston won't stop throwing the ball as Stroud enters his second season. It'd be foolish to turn to a run-heavy offense a year after the No. 2 pick finished with over 4,000 yards and led the league in passing yards per contest.
Add in that Houston just traded for four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs and dished out new deals to Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz, and the Texans will look to only build off top 10 passing finish.
Instead, Houston should be balanced, a nice blend of run plays with play-action passes. Mixon, who averaged 61 yards per contest last season, said everyone would "east" on offense, including Pierce, fourth-round pick Cade Stover and sixth-round pick Jahwar Jordan.
The meal size could differ depending on the day, but it also could benefit all parties involved.
Mixon, who has averaged 225 carries a season, might finally have a breather.
Stroud, who totaled 499 pass attempts, might finally have a rushing attack.
"In the offense, the sky's the limit," said Mixon.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Could new Texans RB Joe Mixon be missing piece for the offense in 2024?