Joe Mixon might not be out of the woods fairly but when it comes to his standing on the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster.

Between Mixon’s so-so 2022 season and his offseason authorized points, many believed the Bengals would in the end half methods with the veteran operating again, or ask him to take a paycut.

Nevertheless, feedback from head coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan made it seem Mixon’s job was protected, particularly because the solely different notable backs on the roster are rookie Chase Brown and seldom-used veterans Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans.

Not so quick.

In his newest column for The Athletic, Bengals beat author Paul Dehner Jr. predicted that Mixon will in the end conform to a contract restructure as soon as the workforce indicators Joe Burrow to his mega-extension.

My daring prediction: As soon as Burrow indicators his contract, Higgins’ extension, Wilson’s extension and a Mixon restructure will all pop off inside every week.

Going additional, Dehner recommended the Bengals may go together with a distinct veteran operating again for subsequent season if Mixon doesn’t conform to a restructured deal. Among the many massive names nonetheless accessible embody Dalvin Cook dinner, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt.

The endgame might be about whether or not or not he’s keen to realign his $12.8 million cap hit and $10 million in money to the present state of the operating again market. If he’s not, the Bengals will most likely faucet into the veteran backwaters which can be at the moment overflowing with victims of the philosophical shift away from paying the place.

If Mixon is launched, the Bengals are on the hook for a $2,750,000 lifeless cap hit however will save $10,041,176 in 2023, in accordance with Over The Cap. That sort of cash would go a good distance in having sufficient cash to pay Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Logan Wilson as soon as they signal contracts that may possible have all three among the many top-paid gamers at their respective positions.

Plus, Mixon merely isn’t definitely worth the contract he’s been paid proper now. That’s simply unhealthy enterprise if the Bengals enter Week 1 with Mixon nonetheless on the roster and raking in eight figures in money.

For now, I’m going with Dehner’s prediction and can say Mixon is on the Week 1 roster however at a lowered wage.

You’ll want to learn Dehner’s full column for extra perception into the Bengals’ roster.