Mixon, 27, joins a Texans team that has made an avowed commitment to improving its run game after finishing last year ranked 29th in yards per carry (3.7).
“I think the running game will be significant for us to improve,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the season. “As you go through the game, especially in postseason, teams that win (have) to be able to run the football and sustain it. We’ll see where all the guys and all the positions on our team are. We’ll look at the roster – me and Nick – and see where we have to improve. Our job is to improve our roster as best as we can.”
Leading rusher Devin Singletary agreed to a deal with the New York Giants on Monday, leaving the team with little behind Dameon Pierce, who averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in a disappointing sophomore campaign.
Winston spent his last four years with the New Orleans Saints, starting 10 games from 2021-2022 before being relegated to a backup role.
In Cleveland, Winston will take on the all-important role of working behind Deshaun Watson, who is working his way back from a season-ending shoulder injury.
Flacco, who threw for 300 yards in four straight games and helped push the Browns into the playoffs with his 4-1 mark, said last week on SiriusXM he would be interested in a return to Cleveland but was evaluating his opportunities.
The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing in a steady pass catcher at tight end for Joe Burrow to target.
Mike Gesicki and the Bengals agreed to a one-year contract worth a maximum $3.25 million, per NFL Network.
Irv Smith Jr., Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample were a tight-end-by-committee for the Bengals last season.
Gesicki was selected 42nd overall in the 2018 draft by the Miami Dolphins, and he caught 18 touchdowns over his five seasons there. The New England Patriots brought Gesicki in on a one-year deal, and he caught 29 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Marcus Mariota is staying in the NFC East.
The Washington Commanders are bringing in Mariota on a one-year, $6 million deal that could turn into $10 million, according to ESPN. Mariota was Jalen Hurts’ backup with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
The No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Mariota played his first five seasons in the NFL as the starter with the Tennessee Titans but was replaced by Ryan Tannehill. He was the backup for two seasons (2020-21) with the Las Vegas Raiders and then started the first 13 games of the 2022 season for the Atlanta Falcons. Mariota elected to have knee surgery to address a chronic issue after he was benched for Desmond Ridder for the season’s final four games. During that season, he was one of three quarterbacks (along with current Falcons QB Kirk Cousins and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes) to be featured in Netflix’s “Quarterback” documentary.
Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon, appeared in three games last year.
The Washington Commanders continue to collect pieces in free agency to remake their defense.
The latest addition is defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, per multiple reports.
Ferrell, 26, had 3 ½ sacks last season for the San Francisco 49ers.
The Commanders have also added edge rusher Dorance Armstrong and linebacker Frankie Luvu.
No, not 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, but FB Derek Watt.
Derek Watt played eight NFL seasons, mostly on the shadows of his higher-profile brothers, splitting his time between the Chargers and as T.J.’s teammate with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derek Watt made the announcement on social media.