A lot of fans were excited to see that our feature back was extended on a 4 year / $48M deal. Mixon is one of the best backs in the NFL and he certainly deserves to be paid. $12M / year is not the real number but it does vault Mixon into top tier money. Sure there are guys like Alvin Kamara that will also get paid but Mixon set the bar early in his draft class.
This is a good deal for the Bengals and hats off to the front office. They get a young producer to pair with their new QB and future WR. Mixon has been a model player and brings the fire every game. He has been handsomely rewarded and his statistics are great despite being behind a terrible offensive line. I am happy for the guy and the franchise and I have no qualms with bring him back.
The bad for me is that this money will not be used to improve the offensive line or re-sign guys like AJ Green. Sure both could happen but spending this type of cap room means that the Bengals not only need to get creative but they will not be in the market for a top tier lineman next offseason. We need to rebuild that line quickly and to maximize Burrow’s window it needs to be as soon as possible. Like a said, I do not think the Mixon deal is a bad one (early opt out is a nice clause) but in the world of business it is about opportunity costs.
The league has become a passing league and we have a passing QB. Running is nice but a luxury and in today’s NFL the difference between game changers like Christian McCaffrey to the next tier is significant. Do we need that top tier to win a Super Bowl? I don’t think we do but it is a nice luxury item to help out Burrow and the WR’s get open.
Congratulations Joe, you deserve it! Who Dey!