The question hanging over the Houston Texans' offseason is a big one: Will we ever see Joe Mixon on an NFL field again? After a season-ending injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, the star running back's future is shrouded in uncertainty. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Mixon's NFL career "lacks definitive clarity." Even Texans coach DeMeco Ryans admitted during his season-ending press conference that he simply doesn't "know that answer right now" when pressed about Mixon's prospects for the 2026 campaign.
The veteran rusher's absence was a major blow to the Texans' offense. He missed the entirety of the 2025 season because of what was described as a "complicated" foot and ankle injury. Remember those midseason reports suggesting Mixon wouldn't play at all in 2025? He denied them at the time, but ultimately, those reports proved accurate.
Now, let's rewind a bit. Mixon, a former standout with the Cincinnati Bengals, was traded to Houston before the 2024 season. He quickly inked a three-year, $27 million extension with the team. In his first season with the Texans, he proved to be a valuable asset, racking up 1,325 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. He looked like a key piece of the Texans' future. But here's where it gets controversial... Mixon suffered a foot injury during offseason workouts, and despite seeking various treatments and remedies, he was never able to recover sufficiently to return to game action. The Texans, respecting Mixon's privacy, remained tight-lipped about his condition throughout the 2025 season.
Coach Ryans emphasized Mixon's importance to the team: "When you have your best players, you’re going to be a better team. Joe, he’s a really great running back for us, and not having him, yes, of course, it affected our running game. Joe is one of the top running backs in this league. That affected us." It's clear the team felt his absence.
Since Mixon spent the 2025 season on the non-football injury list, the Texans weren't obligated to pay his $7 million salary. Whether or not they chose to do so remains unclear. And this is the part most people miss... While Mixon technically has one year left on his contract, he's only owed a non-guaranteed $8 million in 2026. Aaron Wilson suggests that the Texans are likely to release him this offseason. This would free up cap space and allow them to pursue other options.
To fill the void left by Mixon's injury, the Texans signed Nick Chubb. However, the former Pro Bowler's impact was limited, as he managed only 573 offensive yards. Chubb is now set to become a free agent this offseason, along with fellow Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale. If both players depart, that would leave fourth-round rookie Woody Marks as the only healthy running back on the Texans' roster heading into the offseason. This situation leaves the Texans with a significant need at the running back position.
The big question: Should the Texans give Mixon another chance, banking on his potential return to form? Or is it time to cut ties and move on, focusing on rebuilding the running back corps through free agency or the draft? Given his age, the severity of the injury, and the non-guaranteed nature of his contract, cutting Mixon seems a likely, albeit difficult, decision. What do you think? Should the Texans stick with Mixon, or is it time for a change? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
