The Texans are staring down a tough decision this offseason, and it starts in the backfield. After a 2025 campaign that ended in the Foxborough snow with C.J. Stroud tossing four picks and the offense sputtering out of the playoffs, one thing became clear: Houston can’t afford to wait any longer on Joe Mixon.
This isn’t just about injury recovery timelines or crossing fingers in the training room. This is about roster construction, cap space, and a franchise that’s trying to make the leap from playoff regular to legitimate Super Bowl threat.
The Mixon situation? It’s become a weight the Texans may need to shed.
The Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
When Houston traded for Mixon and extended him for $27 million in 2024, the move made sense. Stroud was coming off an electric rookie season, and the front office wanted to ease the load on their young QB by giving him a proven, every-down back. And for a while, it worked-Mixon delivered a 1,000-yard season and brought some much-needed stability to the run game.
But 2025 never got off the ground. A freak foot injury, sustained away from the team facility, sidelined Mixon for the entire year. The details have been murky at best, and even GM Nick Caserio has admitted he doesn’t have a clear sense of when-or if-Mixon will return to form.
Availability is everything in this league. And Mixon wasn’t just unavailable-he was invisible.
That left Houston scrambling to piece together a rushing attack behind a fading Nick Chubb and a young, still-developing Woody Marks. The result?
A 22nd-ranked ground game that never found its rhythm.
The Cap Crunch
Now comes the financial reality. Mixon is due a $10 million cap hit in 2026.
Cutting him would save the Texans roughly $8 million-money that could be redirected toward re-signing a key defender, adding help at wide receiver, or bolstering the offensive line. In a league where running backs are often seen as replaceable parts, paying top dollar for a 29-year-old coming off a lost season is a tough sell.
And let’s be honest-this isn’t just about the money. It’s about building a team that can win deep into January.
The Texans have made three straight trips to the Divisional Round. They’re knocking on the door.
But to kick it down, they need reliability in the backfield, not question marks.
Where the Run Game Stands
The playoff loss in New England told the story. With Mixon out, the Texans leaned on Marks and Chubb, who combined for a brutal 1.7 yards per carry.
Marks showed flashes, and there’s reason to believe he can be part of the solution moving forward. But he’s not the kind of physical, downhill runner that this offense needs when the weather turns cold and the games get tight.
Houston’s scheme thrives when it can control tempo, keep Stroud upright, and create balance. Without a credible run threat, defenses teed off on Stroud, and the turnovers followed. That’s not a sustainable formula for a team with championship aspirations.
Looking Ahead
Mixon’s 2024 season shouldn’t be forgotten. He was a key piece in helping Houston stabilize during a crucial stretch of their rebuild.
But the NFL doesn’t wait around. And nostalgia doesn’t win playoff games.
The Texans are at a turning point. Holding onto Mixon in hopes of a bounce-back year might feel loyal, but it’s not strategic. If Houston wants to turn postseason appearances into a real title run, they need a backfield they can trust from Week 1 through February.
That means tough choices. And it likely means moving on from Joe Mixon.