DeMeco Ryans Reveals Process Behind Houston Texans Trade For Joe Mixon

DeMeco Ryans knew the Houston Texans needed a running back, and revealed why the choice was Joe Mixon.

Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

Despite running backs becoming a dying breed in the NFL, the Houston Texans needed an upgrade in the backfield.

Devin Singletary, who broke out for a career season as the new lead back, cashed in on a three-year deal with the New York Giants. Names like D'Andre Swift, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard were fan favorites leading up to the start of free agency, but they never felt like logical options.

Houston, which relied heavily on the passing heroics of C.J. Stroud to win games, swing-and-miss on the first two days of the legal tampering period. By Wednesday night, options were running slim.

That was until reports swirled that Bengals star Joe Mixon would be released after a seven-year run in Cincinnati. Houston pivoted its sight to securing the former Pro Bowler before he could hit the market.

“We were looking to add a playmaker at that position," said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans during owners' meetings. "We felt like Joe has done it for a long time in his career. He’s been very consistent going against him multiple times. He’s a very physical runner and he does a great job of protecting the ball. He does a great job in the passing game, an all-around back. Being able to add him to our team, helps our offense.”

Mixon, 27, now heads to Houston as the hopeful long-term stabilizer in the run game. The Texans believe he can be the guy opposite Stroud until the end of his rookie contract by inking him to a new three-year $27 million extension before ever touching the turf.

Is the money bountiful? Without question. Houston, however, couldn't run the risk of being back at square one next offseason should Mixon have cashed in elsewhere after another potential 1,000-yard campaign.

“Joe was a guy who’s done it for a long time, and he’s been very consistent,” Ryans said. “Adding a great player to our team, and we knew we had to fix the contract. That was the same situation there in Cincinnati. When you add a great player to your team, he deserves what he got. We were looking to add a running back."

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) shakes hands with a young fan following a run in the / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

Swift and Pollard were viewed as long-term shots from the start of free agency. Singletary, who rushed for 896 yards last season after replacing Dameon Pierce, was offered a contract, but it reportedly was only for a year and well under his new salary in New York.

The Texans were in on Barkley, who indicated he'd be more than content inking a long-term deal to join the AFC South champions. According to reports, Houston offered him a three-year deal just north of $11 million annually. Philadelphia swooped in at the final whistle to offer a three-year, $46.75 million maximum value deal, $26 million of which was fully guaranteed.

Should Mixon remain a staple in the backfield, it's not a terrible consolation prize. Since being drafted out of Oklahoma, he's posted four 1,000-yard seasons while averaging 4.1 yards per play throughout his career.

“I feel great being in this here situation," Mixon said during his opening press conference. "Got a great group of guys around me. Talked to the coaches, and just where they see me playing in this here offense is definitely exciting times, man, so I just can’t wait to get going.”

Much like in Cincinnati, the Texans are expecting Mixon to help their second-year quarterback reach new heights. He posted career-highs in rushing yards and touchdowns (13) as Joe Burrow guided the Bengals to a Super Bowl berth during his second season behind 4,600-plus, 34 touchdown-campaign.

Stroud, who became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in their first year, has the talent to draw comparisons to names like Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Mixon, who watched as Stroud led a comeback against the Bengals on the road last season, can see the potential.

“C.J. is a phenomenal player,” Mixon said. “He was the Rookie of the Year, and that ain’t by no fluke."

Despite nearly being released, Ryans isn't concerned with a drop-off in play from Mixon and believes the best years of his career could be down at NRG Stadium rather than in the past at Paycor.

"He’s been consistent throughout his entire career, a guy who can move the chains for you, a guy who can open up the passing game with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield," said Ryans. "He just opens up the things we can do offensively.”