THE Cincinnati Bengals are expected to release Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.

NFL insider Matthew Berry reported on some of the most interesting things he heard at the NFL combine, one of which being the status of Joe Mixon.

The Bengals are expected to cut running back Joe Mixon

The Bengals are expected to cut running back Joe MixonCredit: Getty

Mixon was drafted by the Bengals in 2017
Mixon was drafted by the Bengals in 2017Credit: Getty
Berry received many inside reports about the proceedings inside the Cincinnati Bengals front office, but among the most interesting were potential cap casualties.

The NFL insider reported that both wide receiver Tyler Boyd and Mixon would be released before the start of the league year.

“Tyler Boyd is not expected to return and I was told Joe Mixon would be released,” Berry wrote.

If Mixon were to be released, it would be his first time hitting free agency in his seven-year career with the Bengals.

The team drafted him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and extended him in 2020 on a four-year, $48 million contract.

The 2024 season would be the last on his current contract, but he currently costs $8.85 million against the cap.

The Bengals releasing players doesn’t make a lot of sense though, as they are one of the teams with the most available cap space going into the offseason. They have just over $50 million to work with right now.

However, the running back market has regressed massively and Mixon’s current deal is somewhat of an overpay compared to the contracts that running backs have been receiving recently.

Bengals fans and NFL fans alike were stunned by the report of Cincinnati potentially cutting their top running back.

“Has the running back really leveled out to the point the players have to take pay cuts just to stay in the league?” one fan said.

NFL star who has earned $52.3m in career released by Los Angeles Chargers in surprise cut to free up cap space
“So All the NFL Rbs are Free Agents… CRAZY!!” another fan said.

“Is any team going to have a Running Back this year?” a third fan said.

If he is officially released, Mixon will join a loaded running back class in free agency.

Names like Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Tony Polllard, and Austin Ekeler are all available.

Mixon signed an extension with the Bengals in 2020
Mixon signed an extension with the Bengals in 2020Credit: Getty