The Houston Texans were in the running for multiple running backs this offseason, showing interest in Saquon Barkley, Devin Singletary, D’Andre Swift, and Tony Pollard.

Ultimately, Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, Singletary signed with the New York Giants, Swift signed with the Chicago Bears, and Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans.

Despite missing out on many talented running backs, the Texans acquired a Pro Bowler.

The Houston Texans acquired a Pro Bowler.

The Texans traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Bengals for Joe Mixon.

Mixon would later sign a 3-year, $27 million extension.

Their general manager explained how they were able to trade for him.

The Houston Texans general manager explained how they acquired him.

The Bengals were in the process of releasing Mixon when the Texans offered a trade proposal they couldn’t refuse. General Manager Nick Caserio has the details.

“Yeah, the Joe situation is kind of interesting,” Caserio said. “Any time a player gets released, he’s available. So, say this situation was similar to kind of what we went through it with Jason McCourty however many years back when I was in New England. Jason was released and he was going to be on the waiver wire. We kind of intercepted that release. Bill and I talked about the situation: ‘Hey, this is a player we’re interested in.’ ‘All right, we’re willing to give up the compensation that was associated with it. We were able to gain Jason’s services and Jason ended up being a huge contributor on a Super Bowl winning team.

“Different, but similar in some respects with Joe. Joe was set to be released. He was a player that we evaluated, and we thought could help our team in some capacity. So, to the earlier question, you get on the phone, talk to the team. ‘Hey, we’d be interested. Would you guys be willing to give up a pick, or if we gave up a pick would you be interested?’ That’s kind of how the trade was consummated.”

Joe Mixon was shocked about the whole situation.

Mixon was shocked about the whole situation. 

“It was definitely shocking,” Mixon said after signing a deal that includes $13 million guaranteed with a $10 million payout in the first year of his new contract. “I took that 24 to 48 hours to hurt. It took a while. I’m still having emotional feelings about it. That’s a place where I could forever feel like that’s home for me.”