Joe Mixon won’t be a free agent after all.
It was reported on Monday night that the Bengals had released Mixon and signed Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million contract.
Instead, NFL Network reported on Tuesday morning that the Bengals will trade the 27-year-old running back to the Texans.
It is unclear what the Texans sent back to the Bengals for Mixon.
Mixon will make $5.75 million next season, in what is the final year of his contract, and that includes a $3 million roster bonus due Sunday, according to NFL Network.
Whether or not being traded is more advantageous than being released depends on what the market for Mixon would have been.
Aaron Jones, who was displaced with the Packers for Josh Jacobs, is a similar caliber running back and got a one-year, $7 million deal from the Vikings on Tuesday.
Mixon will step in for Devin Singletary, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Giants on Monday.
It has all been a part of a flurry of running back signings over the first two days of free agency.
It was highlighted by Jacobs signing with the Packers and Saquon Barkley leaving the Giants for the rival Eagles.
The Texans are set up to contend after C.J. Stroud led them to the AFC South title and a wild-card win over the Browns as a rookie.
Houston has explosive options at receiver with Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
Dameon Pierce began the 2023 season as the Texans’ starting running back but was ultimately supplanted by Singletary.
Pierce will likely backup Mixon next season.
Mixon ran for 6,412 yards and 41 touchdowns over seven seasons with the Bengals.