Mixon: Time with Texans will be 'night and day' compared to Cincy

Joe Mixon has been less effective in recent years, but he doesn't think that has anything to do with age ahead of his 28th birthday. The Houston Texans running back actually believes his production will increase significantly in 2024 when compared to his previous campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"It's a narrative to y'all," Mixon, who turns 28 on July 24, recently said about his age, according to Houston Stressans. "But, I mean, the running backs that I see that's close to 28, 30, 31, 32 (years old), they're balling right now. So my hopes are high."

Mixon played his first seven NFL seasons with the Bengals, who drafted him in the second round in 2017. He rushed for over 1,000 yards four times - including last year - but his average of yards per rushing attempt is decreasing. Mixon didn't average more than four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons, and he posted under four yards per attempt in two of the past four campaigns.

Mixon was also below average in rushing yards over expected among running backs in 2023, per Next Gen Stats. He ranked 32nd in yards after contact per rush, according to Jacob Gibbs of Fantasy Football Today.

Cincy traded him to the Texans in March for a seventh-round pick. The former Pro Bowler thinks landing in a loaded-up Houston offense will be great for his career.

"I know what type of player I am," Mixon said. "I'm not here to speak for everybody else, but in terms of me, I know for a fact as long as I'm in a great position to win, it's going to be night and day compared to how I was in Cincinnati."

The former Oklahoma star racked up 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games for the Bengals in 2023. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three TDs.