Rams Linked to Bengals RB Joe Mixon in Trade Rumor

Could veteran Joe Mixon of the Bengals be someone the Rams look to add in the future ... via trade or otherwise?

The Los Angeles Rams have done some "strip-down'' work in making their roster cap-compliant. But until they concede that coach Sean McVay is ready to oversee a "lost season'' - and short of an Organic Tanking for USC's Caleb Williams in next year's NFL Draft, that's a tough concession - they should still be in the business of talent acquisition.

And that brings us to yet another bit of national media speculation regarding the Rams chasing a "name'' running back.

Already this week, we've quoted a source suggesting that the Rams should touch base with the Chargers' situation with Austin Ekeler as a way to start the "game of Chicken.'' And behold, the Chargers inched toward a move to keep their star runner with a slight alteration to his contract.

So, on to the next ... How unhappy are the Cincinnati Bengals with Joe Mixon?

He has been a foundational player for a good Bengals team. But he's also gotten himself into some legal hot water, and his price tag is at about $10 million APY for the next two seasons.

There is speculation about Cincy moving on here, maybe starting with the offer of a pay cut. Or ... 

There can be the Rams, who finished 27th in NFL rushing last year, wondering if Cam Akers and sixth-round pick Zach Evans of Ole Miss are enough.

CBS Sports is suggesting a connection here for the Rams and Mixon, who turns 27 in July - meaning the two contractual years remaining are a fit. But is $10 million APY a fit?

As with Ekeler and Dalvin Cook and other "names'' that have been connected to the Rams (mostly via media speculation), the central issue is about "the devaluation of the NFL running back.'' CBS suggests he "may end up being a cap casualty at some point this summer.'' If that happens, and Cincy gains its $7 million in cap room, there can be a scramble for Mixon's services. But given the current situation for the Rams - in a state of limbo between "strip-down mode'' and justifiable offseason optimism? It's hard to see GM Les Snead winning a bidding war here.

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