The Houston Texans are facing significant financial decisions, and the fate of two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon is among the most pressing.
What the Texans decide to do with Mixon will invariably factor into how they otherwise address the position and the rest of their roster this offseason, but they are working with extremely skewed data.
The star tailback is as dynamic as anyone. That is, when he is healthy.
Joe Mixon Situation ‘Setting Up’ Exit From Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Texans acquired Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals in a trade during the 2024 offseason, and he earned his second Pro Bowl nod in his first campaign with Houston. However, Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to an undisclosed ankle and/or foot injury.
Moreover, his status for 2026 remains uncertain.
That, in addition to Mixon’s $10 million cap hit for 2026 in the final year of a three-year, $19.7 million contract (with $55.4 million in career earnings), may have sealed his fate.
“A foot injury forced Mixon to miss all of 2025, setting up his departure in the coming weeks,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote on January 21, listing Mixon first among the possibilities for Houston. “The Texans can free up $8.5M of cap space with an outright release.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio would not commit to Mixon even being a Texan in 2026.
“He’s under contract,” Caserio told reporters on January 21. “We’ll evaluate his situation. And then, we’ll see where it goes from there.”
The veteran’s dual-threat presence was sorely missed, with the Texans ranking 22nd on the ground during the 2025 regular season. Mixon also turns 30 in July, and the Texans have already taken steps toward a new-look backfield.
Still, Mixon’s future looms large for him and the Texans with free agency in less than two months.
Joe Mixon Sends Message After Lost Campaign
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans takes the field before facing the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Mixon posted over 1,200 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons, including 2024 with the Texans, and in six of his eight campaigns in the NFL.
He took to social media to vent some of the frustration of this past season.
Mixons posted a picture of himself holding the AFC Championship trophy, which he won during the Bengals’ Super Bowl season in 2021, captioning it with a “‘26” in the top left corner and then “can’t wait to get back [angry face with horns emoji]” on Instagram on January 25.
Mixon’s message drew attention from Bengals fans, but it is unclear if the organization would be amenable to a return.
Mixon is one of several high-profile trades that have had polarizing results for the Texans.
However, Caserio defended the decisions to acquire him and Stefon Diggs, now of the New England Patriots, in 2024. The Texans also cut 2025 offseason trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, after Week 3.
Texans Expected to Part Ways With 2 Others
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans looks on from the sideline during a game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Houston Cougars.
Mixon is the most significant of Ginnitti’s suggested moves for the Texans, who are $14.2 millioin over the cap, per Over The Cap, but he is hardly the only one.
Defensive tackle Mario Edwards and wide receiver Tank Dell could also get consideration.
“Edwards offers a strong depth presence for a very good Houston defense, but it stands to reason that the organization will opt for the $4.5M of cap space to be freed up early in March. A reunion could very well be possible,” Ginnitti wrote.
“Injuries have been the unfortunate story throughout Dell’s young career, and he heads into a contract year in 2026. Houston can free up over $1.5M of space by moving on.”
Still, what the Texans decide on Mixon will help to shape their roster the most.
Texans Predicted to Cut Ties With $55 Million Pro Bowler Amid Message