Houston Texans trade for Pro Bowl running back

TRADE ALERT

Houston Texans trade for Pro Bowl running back
GM Nick Caserio is trading for Bengals running back Joe Mixon. Composite Getty Image.

After the Houston Texans missed out on signing one of the top running backs in free agency on Monday, GM Nick Caserio has made a trade.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Texans are acquiring 2021 Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from the Bengals.

Mixon will play this year at 28-years old after spending 7 seasons with the Bengals. Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards in 2023, with 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and 3 TDs last year.

Mixon has rushed for over 1,000 yards four times in his career.

After losing Devin Singletary to the Giants on Monday, the Texans knew they add to add another running back to the roster. Mixon will now join Dameon Pierce in Houston's backfield.

Many believed the Texans would make a big splash by signing Saquon Barkely or Josh Jacobs in free agency. But both backs agreed to huge deals on Monday. Jacobs signed a 4-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, and Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37,750 million contract with the Eagles.

Instead, the Texans will pay Mixon, who is in the final year of his contract, $5.75 million in 2024.

The graphic below indicates Mixon will give the Texans a boost in the passing game.

Early reports indicate the Texans will be sending the Bengals a conditional 7th round pick for Mixon.

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More moves could be on the horizon for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

Most Astros fans have come to terms with how the team is taking shape for the 2025 season. We've heard reports that the club is looking to avoid the competitive balance tax this year, which means Christian Walker is the only big piece joining Houston through free agency.

But according to a recent report from MLB insider Hector Gomez, the 'Stros may have another big move in the works.

Certainly, signing Anthony Santander would force the Astros to pay the competitive balance tax once again. Something we didn't believe they would entertain. But we all thought the same thing last year until the club shocked the world by signing Josh Hader to a 5-year, $95 million contract.

The fit makes a lot of sense, considering how bad the outfield projects to be this season. And the reported contract offer, is basically the same deal Houston signed Walker to, but with one additional year at about $20 million. So who knows, maybe the Astros have one big move left in them.

Scott Boras strikes again?

The Athletic's Chandler Rome shared some insight on how contract negotiations could play out with Hunter Brown, who's represented by Boras.

Rome made the case that Houston may have already missed the window to strike a deal with Brown, similar to the contract Cristian Javier signed with the club before the 2023 season.

Rome made an interesting point when he said players don't typically hire an agent like Boras just to negotiate a deal that buys up arbitration years.

Which is pretty wild to think about considering Brown only has one good season under his belt. Javier was a more proven player when he inked his extension, and that deal hasn't aged well, with Javier regressing in 2024 before having season-ending Tommy John surgery.

If Rome is correct and Brown is looking to hit the open market, it's not the end of the world. He's under team control for the next four years. However, one thing is for certain, the Astros will be counting on Brown and Javier to anchor this rotation moving forward after Framber Valdez likely leaves after the 2025 season.

If Dana Brown can't strike a deal with Brown, perhaps Yainer Diaz could be an option. He's on the same timeline as Brown when it comes to reaching free agency. Hopefully, he doesn't hire Boras anytime soon.

Finally, why are we still hearing rumblings about Alex Bregman being connected to the Astros? NorthJersey.com's Pete Caldera is predicting Bregman will sign a $175 million deal with the 'Stros.

And what's with this recent post from former Astros front office member Reggie Jackson?

It's technically possible the Astros could bring back Bregman and trade Isaac Paredes, but we're not counting on it.

Plus, we've heard reports about the Astros looking to dump Ryan Pressly's salary. But would the club be better off waiting until the trade deadline to do so?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!


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