Despite the NFL season approaching fast, offseason drama is still at its peak. While big-time names such as Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson have landed their dream contracts, there are still some left behind fighting to get their worth. However, not all of these elite players have the same approach toward their particular franchises and Joe Mixon of the Bengals recently proved that point all over again.

The running back market in the NFL seems to be as volatile as the QB demands. With the New York Giants putting their franchise tag on Saquon Barkley, the offensive genius decided to hold out for the Week 1 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. As per reports, Barkley is not happy with the guaranteed money offered, and while a similar reaction was expected from Cincinnati’s WR Joe Mixon, the latter had different goals in mind.

All in the details

A close observation of the NFL offseason reveals an interesting trend: when athletes claim it’s not about the money, it often turns out to be about the money after all. And in those rare instances, when they do acknowledge money as a motivating factor, the focus is usually on guaranteed earnings. Saquon Barkley finds himself in a similar situation, where the franchise tag ensures a minimum of $10.1 million for the 2023 season. The presence of guaranteed money has become a decisive factor for Barkley in his current predicament.

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The New York Giants have however pushed that envelope too upwards of $19 Million, but Saquon Barkley is yet to come to a decision. The Cincinnati Bengals, on the other hand, were blessed with a different situation. After relentless back and forth, Bengals’ WR, Joe Mixon has agreed to a restructured deal, but his motivation was somewhat different than Barkley’s.

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As per a report by Tom Pelissero, Mixon has chosen to prioritize his loyalty to the Cincinnati fanbase rather than the intricacies of the contract handed out to him. Having landed himself in legal trouble twice, Mixon was left with just two alternatives: either take a pay cut or walk away. Sharing Mixon’s reasoning, his agent Peter Schaffer shared, “Joe just agreed to a restructuring of his deal. His goal is to win a Super Bowl and play his career in Cincinnati and this is the best way to accomplish these goals.”

However, Mixon settling for a pay cut might affect his worth if the 2023 season does not go as planned. With WRs all around the league trying to secure the bag, Mixon’s recent decision might bring around a different school of thought if the Bengals get back to the promised land.

The wide receiver landscape

During the recent offseason, star players Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott were released by their respective teams, primarily due to contract disputes. This ongoing trend of teams tightening their financial belts also affected wide receivers, raising concerns for Joe Mixon of the Bengals. Despite having a non-guaranteed salary of over $9 million for the upcoming season, Mixon opted to negotiate a revised contract to avoid a potentially tumultuous situation. His decision reflects a proactive approach to securing his future with the team while maintaining a positive working relationship.

Setting financial concerns aside, Joe Mixon has reached an agreement on a base salary of nearly $6 million, with the potential to earn up to $8 million through incentives, according to reports from Pro Football Talk. As a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Mixon has demonstrated moderate success with the Bengals, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021. However, his primary focus is on achieving ultimate victory. Based on his recent statements, it is clear that Mixon believes the Bengals offer him the best opportunity to fulfill his championship aspirations.

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