Texans Release Joe Mixon to Clear Cap Space After Missed 2025 Season
Houston, Saturday, 7 March 2026.
The Texans have officially released Joe Mixon following a lost 2025 season, a strategic move saving nearly $8 million in cap space as the franchise transitions to newcomer David Montgomery.
Fiscal Realities and Roster Shifts
The decision to part ways with Joe Mixon, confirmed on Friday, March 6, liberates approximately $8 million in salary cap room for Houston [3]. This financial maneuver comes just days after the Texans secured their new backfield anchor, acquiring running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions earlier this week [3]. The pivot to Montgomery suggests a desire for reliability and a strategic reallocation of resources following a season where the team’s intended starter was sidelined entirely.
From Pro Bowl to Sidelines
Mixon’s tenure in Houston began with high expectations and immediate returns. After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the 2024 season, he signed a three-year, $27 million extension that included $13 million in guaranteed money [1][3]. That investment initially paid off, as Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and scored 11 touchdowns during the 2024 campaign, earning a Pro Bowl selection [1][3]. However, the momentum halted abruptly in 2025 when a foot injury forced him to miss the entire season [1][3]. In his absence, the Texans relied on rookie Woody Marks, who finished the year as the team’s leading rusher [3].
Strategic Roster Management
Beyond the backfield, Houston is moving quickly to solidify its core ahead of free agency. The franchise has agreed to one-year contract extensions with defensive end Danielle Hunter and tight end Dalton Schultz [2]. These moves, combined with the cap space created by Mixon’s release, position the Texans to remain competitive in the AFC South. Meanwhile, Mixon enters the open market with a resume that includes 6,412 rushing yards over seven seasons with the Bengals [1]. A return to Cincinnati appears improbable, however, as his former team has established a set rotation with Chase Brown and Tahj Brooks [1].