Trading former Pro Bowl RB already looks like mistake for Bengals

Meanwhile, the Bengals' ground game struggled to get going in a 16-10 home loss to the New England Patriots. Cincinnati running backs Zack Moss and Chase Brown combined for 55 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. 

Although Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards in 17 games in his final season with Cincinnati, the Bengals sent the 28-year-old to Houston to clear cap space. He then signed a three-year, $25.5M deal with the Texans. 

Mixon says he has no regrets about his departure, and he landed in a better situation. 

"I definitely did, man, and like I said, I feel great to be appreciated here and to play a big part in what we do," Mixon told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio on Sunday. "If it's time to make a play, I've got to try to do whatever I can to make them. You know, be the best teammate and leader that I know how to be. I'm just happy to be on this side now." 

If Mixon keeps producing throughout the season, the Texans should have a balanced attack that propels them into Super Bowl contention. 

"He immediately brought the vision, tough and efficient running style this team needed," The Athletic's Derrik Klassen wrote of his performance vs. the Colts. "For as lacking in explosive runs as he was with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, Mixon was guaranteed 3 to 5 yards anytime he touched the ball."

The Bengals could rebound after the embarrassing loss, but questions about quarterback Joe Burrow linger. He completed 21 of 29 passes for just 164 yards against New England. 

Burrow suffered a season-ending right wrist tear in 2023, which could explain why he's struggling to push the ball downfield. Cincinnati could take pressure off him if they had a reliable RB1, but it doesn't seem like they do.