Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon recently made headlines when he agreed to take a pay cut ahead of the upcoming season. Mixon stated that he felt a “sacrifice” was necessary to help the team’s Super Bowl run. In July, Mixon and the Bengals restructured his contract, resulting in a nearly $3 million decrease in his cash value for 2023.
Mixon explained that he agreed to the reworked deal because he saw the bigger picture and understood that sacrifices needed to be made to keep other players on the team. He expressed his belief that this year could be the year for the Bengals to make a Super Bowl run.
Throughout the offseason, there were doubts about Mixon’s roster status for 2023 due to his salary cap hit. However, the contract restructure saved the Bengals $4.3 million against the cap this year.
Mixon has been relatively quiet since the end of the 2022 season, but he has been involved in two gun-related incidents. In March, a teenager was shot in the foot from Mixon’s backyard while he was playing with a toy gun. Mixon was not a suspect in the incident, but one man was indicted for felonious assault. In April, Mixon was charged with misdemeanor aggravated menacing after allegedly pointing a gun at a woman in a road-rage incident. He pleaded not guilty, and the trial is set for August 14.
During offseason workouts, Mixon declined all interview requests until training camp. The team spokesperson has stated that Mixon will not be available to reporters until the start of the regular season, which goes against the NFL’s media policy for 2023.
Despite these off-field incidents, Mixon remains an integral player for the Bengals. He has been a key contributor to their back-to-back AFC North titles. While his rushing numbers dropped from his Pro Bowl season in 2021, he still amassed 1,255 yards from scrimmage in 14 games in 2022.
Mixon’s reworked contract includes $4.1 million in guaranteed money and $2 million in potential incentives for this year. He expressed his gratitude for the compensation and stated that he feels the team has allowed him to work to earn that money back.
Mixon’s presence for another year with the Bengals has been well-received by his teammates, including quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow expressed his happiness at Mixon’s new contract, stating that the team is better when Mixon is on the field.
In conclusion, Joe Mixon’s decision to take a pay cut demonstrates his commitment to the Bengals’ Super Bowl aspirations. Despite off-field incidents, Mixon remains an important player for the team and has received praise from his teammates. With a restructured contract and a renewed focus, Mixon is ready to contribute to the Bengals’ quest for their first Super Bowl title.