The Cincinnati Bengals just checked a massive item off the 2020 to-do list — extending star running back Joe Mixon.
After plenty of vague tweets and a mysterious absence from training camp practices lately that the team attributed to migraines, Mixon went live on Twitter with a photo of him with the Blackburns, essentially confirming an extension before the news officially dropped.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed it’s a four-year extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the extension money checks in at $48 million.
Mixon really broke out as a sophomore in 2018 when giving a bigger role, rushing for 1,168 yards and eight scores on a 4.9 average. He followed up last season with 1,137, five and 4.1, respectively, again behind a struggling offensive line with erratic play under center.
The move comes on the heels of the Bengals and A.J. Green not agreeing to a long-term extension before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to do so this summer. Cincinnati staff made it clear wrapping up Mixon long-term was a priority, even in the face of a potentially reduced salary cap in 2021.
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) September 1, 2020
