Bengals re-sign veteran running back

Questions remain about Joe Mixon‘s future with the Bengals. Regardless of what happens atop the running back depth chart this offseason, though, Cincinnati will have familiar complementary options in 2024. Trayveon Williams has been re-signed, per a team announcement.

Parked behind Mixon and Samaje Perine for most of his Bengals career, Williams is best known thus far for his role as the team’s kick returner over the past two years. It would surprise if the team cut Mixon with designs on promoting the Texas A&M product to RB1 duty, even though it would help on the financial front.

Post-Perine last year, the Bengals used rookie Chase Brown as Mixon’s top backup. Williams could be in line to compete for the backup role in his sixth season, but it would seem Brown has the much better chance of being a Mixon successor in the starting lineup. Williams received only 15 carries last season and has logged all of 62 over the course of his career.

The Bengals owe Mixon a $3M roster bonus on March 16. The veteran back’s summer reworking last year included this bonus, as the seven-year starter wanted more clarity — on an uncertain RB market — this year compared to how the Bengals dragged out this process in 2023. Mixon will have it, and the Bengals now have Brown and Williams signed behind him.