Joe Mixon embracing expectations for Texans' season

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio seem uninterested in discussing the high expectations many have for the club this summer.

However, new Houston running back Joe Mixon went in a different direction while speaking with reporters on Friday.

"I've definitely been on a championship team before, and I know what it's like," Mixon said, as shared by Nick Shook of the league's website. "I know what it takes to get there. I feel like we have — no doubt — we have the best talent that I've seen here in a long time. I honestly feel like the team that we have here, I know that we're ready to go and go for that long run."

Mixon was part of the Cincinnati Bengals squad that suffered a narrow 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI back in February 2022. Earlier this offseason, he joined wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair as noteworthy additions made by the Texans after they claimed the division title and after both quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. earned Rookie of the Year honors.

According to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN, Stroud said on Thursday that Houston's offense is "a five-headed monster" that features Mixon, Diggs, tight end Dalton Schultz and receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell. While the Texans will only average so many offensive snaps in a game, Mixon explained why he believes he can once again finish a campaign with more carries than most of the league's backs.

Per ESPN stats, Mixon ended the 2023 regular season fifth in the NFL with 257 rushing attempts.

"I feel very confident in, like I said, the role that I will have in this offense, and I'm [gonna] embrace everything that comes with it," Mixon said. "Like I said, I did all the work in the offseason, and come season, that's when I know it'll pay off."

Houston's offense will run through Stroud, who could emerge as a Most Valuable Player candidate if he improves upon his stellar play from last season. With that said Mixon and others will be tasked with helping the 22-year-old avoid a dreaded sophomore slump as the Texans pursue more than a single playoff win.