- Joe Mixon understands the definition of a franchise quarterback. He spent the previous four seasons playing alongside Joe Burrow, who re-established the Cincinnati Bengals as an AFC powerhouse after years of being in an abyss.
Mixon's partnership with Burrow ended on March 12, when the Houston Texans acquired the veteran running back via a trade from the Bengals.
Mixon doesn't know what to expect when joining the Texans. However, he is thrilled to join a quarterback on the same trajectory as Burrow in reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year winner C.J. Stroud.
"C.J. is a phenomenal player — he was the Rookie of the Year, and that ain't by no fluke," Mixon said. "I think that we have a great group of guys in this here locker room. I was talking with DeMeco, and there are a lot of guys running around, young, don't know any better, and ready to get after it.
"I've definitely been fortunate to be a part of something like that, so it's a great thing coming into this situation and basically picking up where I left off. Definitely in a great position here, and excited to start with my new beginnings."
Mixon received a first-hand look at Stroud during the Texans' 30-27 victory over the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 12. Stroud finished the game throwing for 356 yards and a touchdown in the win. The game also marked one of six games in which Stroud threw for over 300 passing yards.
Stroud put on a show against his future teammate Mixon, which marks a small sample size of how the 22-year-old quarterback became a Pro Bowler within his first season.
He finished his rookie season with 4,557 total passing yards, including the postseason, which is the second-most in NFL history by a rookie quarterback — trailing only Andrew Luck (4,662) in 2012.
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