A new offseason projection suggests the Houston Texans could be preparing to move on from a major veteran contributor after their disappointing finish to the 2025 season. With several financial decisions looming, the team appears poised to reshape parts of its roster heading into 2026.
Houston Texans Face Dilemma As Costly Veteran Contract Comes Under Review
In his latest article for FOX Sports, NFL reporter Greg Auman identified running back Joe Mixon as a likely cut candidate this offseason.
“Mixon, 29, missed all of 2025 with a mysterious non-football foot injury, and he’s due to make a non-guaranteed $8 million in 2026, so it’s easy to see Houston moving on here,” Auman wrote. “The Texans ranked 29th in yards per carry without him, but they’ll have to upgrade elsewhere.”
The analysis then moved from the financial realities to a deeper examination of the player’s track record and the possible scenarios awaiting him should he become available.
“Mixon made the Pro Bowl with the Texans in 2024, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his age and injury uncertainty will make for a limited market for him,” Auman added. “Could he follow Bobby Slowik to the Dolphins for depth and a healthy reset there?”
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Houston attempted to stabilize its run game in Mixon’s absence by turning to a committee approach built around rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb. Marks handled the bulk of the early down work and finished the season with an RB Impact score of 51.1, ranking 44th among running backs.
Chubb, returning from his own injury, provided rotational support and closed the year with an RB Impact Score of 39.0, placing him 52nd at the position. The modest production from both backs underscores why the Texans could again be in the market for help this offseason if they do not believe Marks is ready to take a significant leap in year two.
Auman’s projection highlights how Mixon’s absence and salary have placed him squarely on the list of potential cap casualties. Houston struggled to generate consistent production on the ground in 2025, and the team is expected to explore upgrades rather than rely on a bounce-back season from an aging back coming off an unusual injury.
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Mixon’s 2024 Pro Bowl campaign remains a highlight of his brief Texans tenure, but the combination of age, cost, and uncertainty has made his future increasingly tenuous. A move to Miami, as Auman suggested, would reunite him with former Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and offer a lower-pressure depth role behind De’Von Achane.
For Houston, releasing a 25.5 million dollar veteran would free up valuable cap space and signal a continued effort to reshape a roster that fell short of expectations. With several key decisions ahead, the Texans appear headed for another active offseason.
