SI.com: Bucs Should Be In The Mix For Joe Mixon
March 8th, 2026
Free agent RB Joe Mixon.
What’s with all the flashing red lights?
That’s what Joe saw envisioned after reading Eva Geitheim’s piece in SI.com where she picked the Bucs as a team that should be chasing free agent running back Joe Mixon. He was cut by Houston after the Texans acquired David Montgomery in a trade with the Lions last week.
The Bucs, Geitheim types, should be one of two teams all over Mixon’s agent when legal tampering begins tomorrow at noon.
RB Joe Mixon
Best fit: Steelers, BuccaneersRunning back Joe Mixon was officially released by the Texans after they acquired David Montgomery via trade earlier this week. Mixon missed the entirety of the 2025 season with a mysterious foot injury and will look to bounce back with a new team. Before his injury, the two-time Pro Bowler had consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Joe vividly remembers when an NFL general manager at the combine a decade ago told Joe of how overwhelming the data is on running backs pushing 30. That’s when they enter the danger zone of their careers. The physical toll just adds up.
(Yeah, yeah, Adrian Peterson. If only every running back were Adrian Peterson, he was an extreme outlier.)
The moves the Texans made last week seem to back up the intel Joe was told about years ago. Mixon, who will be 30 in July, missed all of the 2025 season with a foot injury of some sort. That’s why Joe sees all the flashing red lights with Mixon.
Nothing like paying high dollar for a free agent running back with a bum wheel!
At the combine, Joe asked Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” if running back is a need. Licht, in a wonderfully sarcastic tone, replied, “Well, I’m sure not going into training camp with just two running backs.”
Joe is spooked by Bucky Irving. Great, great rookie season. But as always, defensive coordinators are paid, too. Even when Bucky was healthy last season (he wasn’t much), he was not the Bucs’ best back last year.
So yeah, Joe thinks the Bucs adding to the running back room would be wise. And from Licht’s own words, bank on new faces in that room.
Joe doubts one of those fresh faces will be Mixon.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:07 am
theres a low chance at this point that Joe Mixon is even better than Sean Tucker so this is a hard pass for me
March 8th, 2026 at 12:14 am
Oh God no, he’s done. But as far as price goes, I can’t imagine anyone gives him more than a few million a year, if he even gets that. Last year wasn’t just being injured, it was the ‘mystery’ injury where he was going to be back soon, and never returned, despite desperately needing him.
No idea why people are panicking on Bucky. Just watch the tape. He didn’t forget how to play, he didn’t look slow, he wasn’t missing holes – the holes weren’t there due to missing half the offensive line (or more) for the parts of year he was healthy. Bucky is a star.
For a 2nd RB, the only thing I’d want is a vet who can block. Ideally they’d just resign White, but he really wants out best I can tell – but I’d love to see them bring him back since that gives you someone who can block, catch, and start if needed. Otherwise running backs are a dime a dozen, if they get run blocking, if they’re not in an ultra predictable scheme, most NFL RBs can look good.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:29 am
pepsi…the cola sucks compared to Coke….but no to Mixon I agree.
Didn’t Mixon like straight up clock some chick in the face during high school?
March 8th, 2026 at 12:31 am
On video so I guess it’s true.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:01 am
Absolutely no on Mixon…
His legs are shot.
Tyler Algiere would be a great compliment to Bucky
March 8th, 2026 at 1:44 am
They should be in the mix for quite of few FAs now but they probably won’t be like usual. There’s no reason they shouldn’t go out & do anything now because there’s a decent amount of FAs out there that could help them.
March 8th, 2026 at 3:03 am
This roster is lacking in off-field issues. They are a bunch of of puddy-tats. Let Licht redefine “I am that man” all he wants- he drafted a team of pudding snacks and is reaping his rewards but this team has no edge or fight beyond Mayfield.
I’d like to see another guy with Mayfield level issues, except he got away from the police with a nifty juke followed-up with a stiff arm (looking at you Zion Young.) Add some Devin Bush perhaps- he is a kitty litter kicker on social media and cra-cray ex-girlfriend phone smasher but it all disappeared once it came to court. I respect(not really) decency and that whole role-model thing Charles Barkley shot to spit but supplicant sycophants don’t win big games. Learn Licht. I don’t want Joe Mixon level spit though.
Bringing in a guy like Pac-Man Jones who could teach Benjamin Morrison that you tear that vision board of yours up just so so you can roll this… might not be a bad thing. The Glazers are overcompensating for the Rah years. Absolutely no Mixon though, c’mon. I have character thresholds but they aren’t the church-mouse sensibilities of Licht.
I don’t want these guys to baby sit my children. I want them to win a Super Bowl. Bucky was a good start with dipping the toes into guys with questionable personal lives but don’t let whatever mess happened with him dissuade the team from bringing in complicated personalities- Francis.
March 8th, 2026 at 7:02 am
As FA begins, may I suggest that the fundamental role of JL is problem identifier and problem solver. If he fails to solve the obvious problems on this roster, then he proves he is unworthy to continue in his job. Likewise, if JL does bring in the required players and TB fails to use them in their strengths, then he proves he is unworthy to stay as HC. This is the prove it year for these two. Either they will or they will not.
March 8th, 2026 at 7:10 am
We need a real running back, not an aged injured vet, and not Bucky as a bellcow at a 180 lbs. Bucky was totally misused last season. He can’t hold up over a 17+ games. He’s a change of pace back, who should be running more wheel routes, and screens. Running him between the tackles at the beginning of games when the defense is fresh almost got him killed last year. He really took a beating in the Philly game. Need a #1 back who can run over someone, not get splattered by them.
March 8th, 2026 at 7:30 am
HE!! No
March 8th, 2026 at 7:49 am
I remember many people back in the day were upset the Bucs didn’t draft Joe Mixon. I wasn’t one of them…but I don’t recall having anything against him when he entered the draft.
Buc1987 Says
“pepsi…the cola sucks compared to Coke”
I personally never cared for Coke. I grew up on Pepsi and RC Cola. These days, I mainly drink Diet Mountain Dew. It’s my coffee.
March 8th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Hodad Says:
“We need a real running back, not an aged injured vet, and not Bucky as a bellcow at a 180 lbs. Bucky was totally misused last season.”
I can’t argue that.
For me, I loved the WD-40 thing we had. Mike Alstott wearing the defense down, then Dunn taking advantage.
I doubt we’ll ever see a setup like that again.
March 8th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Hopein1hand… Says
“This roster is lacking in off-field issues. They are a bunch of of puddy-tats. Let Licht redefine “I am that man” all he wants- he drafted a team of pudding snacks…”
This ones a mystery to me. Surely you are not saying off-field issues would be a good thing?
March 8th, 2026 at 8:41 am
AJ Dillon, always liked the guy, played backup for Eagles last year, hardly played. 6′ 248 pounds—that kind of guy can do stuff Bucky can’t
March 8th, 2026 at 9:20 am
The draft is supposed to be loaded with running backs. Grab one in a late round there, but not the same kind of back we always go for – small, shifty, pass catcher. Gibe me a North-South bowling ball who can always get 2-3 tough yards all by himself – 10-20 when he blasts through the second level.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:23 am
It’s a No for me, but he’s cheap so Dollar Store Licht will pick him up in the Bargin Bin.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:37 am
If Licht actually does what he should in the FA market, we should have flexibility to draft a RB wherever round we want. Jonah Coleman maybe. Mixon- nah. Unless he’s free.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Career prob over
March 8th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Just go after Allgeier. Problem solved.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Od rather have Algiers, all day everyday.. thanks but no thanks.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Tucker was the perfect compliment- bigger and fast enough to take it to the house if he breaks free. We definitely need to re-sign him! With the full starting offensive line he can be a monster with several long touchdowns. Like I’ve said before, if he gets even with a safety he’s gone. Talk about WHEELS.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
We need Tucker back without a doubt. Risky move not giving the tender to save a mil on the cap. Could work out, just a gamble that could lessen motivation. Or the opposite.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Sean Tucker.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Mysterious foot injury? Hes had foot injuries for years
March 8th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Among aging, injured, released ex-Texans, I would prefer Nick Chubb to Mixon as a backup. He’s no longer stellar, but has good size and probably is a capable blocker and receiver who averaged over four yards as rusher in fifteen games last year. He also has good grades as a teammate. I’m still bullish on Sean Tucker, but think Irving is better suited to working the flanks as a receiver and jet sweeper.
March 8th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Surprised nobody’s mentioned Baker and Mixon playing together. Those 2 were stars together. Man, Mixon and Baker played well together. Mixon is about as talented runner as they come and he is a good pass catcher and blocker. Probably too old to be adding to our running back room, but if he can convince that he’s physically OK, someone will surely give him a chance. He’s just too good not to.
March 8th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
2016. OU 66-59 over Mahomes and Texas Tech. Mahomes 819 total yards and 7 total touchdowns. Mayfield 545 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. AND. Joe Mixon totalled 377 total yards and 5 touchdowns (2 rushing and 3 receiving). Look at Mixon NFL career. He’s a bad man. Of course he’ll get another shot if his foot is good to go.
March 8th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Pass. Bring back white. Can’t be to expensive and he’s so dangerous in the passing game. Again another player misused by THE FALL GUY grizz. lol
March 8th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
#1bucsfan. I’m with you on White. But if he doesn’t come back a healthy Mixon would be tough to pass on.
March 8th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Mobucs Says:
March 8th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Among aging, injured, released ex-Texans, I would prefer Nick Chubb to Mixon as a backup.
———-
Wow, talk about an even worse option.
Mixon is in mystery land in terms of injury, but actually looked good when last healthy. Chubb hasn’t looked good in years, he’s the definition of washed up.
March 8th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Bonzai- I’m not saying the Bucs should seek players with off-field issues to solve the problem of this team being soft, though that’s how it came out. I absolutely don’t want them to take Zion Young off their board for his December 2025 DUI, poorly timed as it was for his draft stock. Zion Young is an exemplary teammate and has been on every all-academic team possible in his career. All off field stuff should be taken into context, not just the isolated issue in the TMZ headline.
Mixon on the other hand has a history of menacing and violence. Do I want violent, menacing play on the field- yes, absolutely, but only on the field. So no to Mixon, guys who “invest” in strip clubs, or get those-type of massages, or domestic abusers, or traffic in drugs or guns or who grew-up rooting for the Saints. This team does not have enough menacing edge, particularly on defense but to be clear I don’t think signing or drafting a bunch of wannabe thugs or trauma-broken hurt pieces will solve this team’s lack of spine and balls.
I just don’t want the Bucs to handicap themselves talent wise, number one. I don’t exalt or fully respect sqeaky clean, only do as you are told and always know what is expected types in any area of human existence. A little insolence or a little too much puppy-energy issues like young Mayfield’s would be welcome though. We survived Sapp, Talib, Bowers and Antonio Brown just fine. I’m just weary of the Schiano Buccaneer Man through to this “I am that man” virtue-signaling BS. This is a football team not a choir.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:19 am
No to the woman beater.
March 9th, 2026 at 2:33 am
The incident with Mixon occurred when he had just arrived at Norman as an 18 year old. No excuses for that, true. He had to pay for that in spades and as I recall he hasn’t had an incident since. And there was 2 sides to the story but for an old timer like me he didn’t deserve another chance. But he got it and I’m not aware that he has had any problems since. I’m thinking his incident was a one off, but I would never excuse an 18 year old boy cold cocking an 18 year old girl no matter how she may have been harassing him.
March 9th, 2026 at 2:40 am
Oops. Sorry, I hadn’t been following Mixon’s career closely enough since he left OU. There have been a few instances of idiotic behaviors by Mixon since his NFL debut. Including guns being involved. Cross him from our list most definitely.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Agree with Joe. Stick a fork in Mixon, he’s done.
Gainwell (Dunn) needs an Alstott for short yardage. Is that Sean Tucker?
After signing Gainwell, are the Bucs looking to move Bucky (Very similar size/style backs)? What’s going on in Bucky’s mind? He isn’t the same guy as in his rookie year for sure.