Texans rely on Mixon to balance missing piece on offense

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans’ receiving core of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell have all made headlines this offseason. The meteoric rise of quarterback CJ Stroud has a lot to do with it.

But inside NRG Stadium, the Texans coaching staff is also investing in their running game to balance the offense. The decision to acquire running back Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason is proof of that.

Before acquiring Mixon, the organization attempted to sign former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley in free agency before landing with the Philadelphia Eagles. After missing out on Barkley, Houston quickly turned to Mixon and made a deal the next day. After the Mixon trade, the Texans gave the 27-year-old a three-year contract extension worth $27 million.

“I don’t mean to joke when I say this, but he’s just a really good running back, all around,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said.

Since 2017, Mixon has the seventh-most receptions (239) and seventh-most receiving yards (1,824) at his position. He has the fourth-most rushing yards (6,408) and seventh-most touchdowns (49), and the former second-round pick is coming off his fourth 1,000-yard rushing season in seven seasons .

“It doesn’t matter what running program you run, he’s run zone schemes, he’s run gap schemes, he’s been used as a receiver, he’s really done it all,” Slowik said.

Slowik also said that since meeting Mixon, he understood why he “always succeeded.” The second-year coordinator said Mixon’s work ethic and professionalism fit the Texans’ culture.

Mixon declared an offense featuring Stroud, tight end Dalton Schultz and the aforementioned receivers that “everyone is going to eat up.”

“I’ve been able to do it all these years and I think with Slowik, I know for a fact that he’s going to use all of my skills,” Mixon said. “With the weapons we have, man, it’s pretty damn good.

“As long as we execute, do all the right things well and build that chemistry, I think it will go far. On offense, there are no limits.”

The Texans were unhappy with their ground attack after averaging 92.7 yards per game (28th) last season. Mixon was signed to replace Devin Singletary, who rushed for 898 yards in his lone year in Houston, after joining the New York Giants in free agency.

Singletary eventually took over the starting job after third-year running back Dameon Pierce struggled. During Pierce’s rookie year, he totaled 949 yards in 13 games, but his average fell to 2.9 yards per carry en route to the bench.

But this offseason, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has been pleased with Pierce’s progress and thinks he and Mixon could be a formidable duo.

“I see Dameon has a really clear head as we work, and I think that will allow him to have a really productive year this year,” Ryans said. “He has what it takes to be a really good running back for us, and I think him and Joe, going head-to-head, would be very beneficial to all of us.”