Joe Mixon May Hold Out

[samhain]

I think it's a bad move for him to hold out. He's a terrific player, but he's replaceable if breaking the bank is what it takes to keep him.

He'd be better off playing out 2020, betting on himself. I think he's capable of a monster year if he's healthy and has a better team around him. IMO not playing will hurt more than it will help.

I also have to think that the team should expect some gratitude from him when negotiations start. Mixon was as radioactive as it gets when he came out of Oklahoma, and the Bengals may have been the only thing saving him from a free fall in the 2017 draft. I'm not saying he should play for a huge discount, but it would seem a bit disrespectful for him to try and bleed them dry and sit out for every penny.

It also seems like a tactical mistake to suggest that you might hold out a week before the draft. The team could just give him the finger and draft Edwards-Helaire in the 2nd or 3rd if they really wanted to dig in their heels. I know nobody wants to draft a RB early, but it might not be the dumbest idea if they think he's not on board. They're a year or 2 away from contending, either way, so they can be a bit patient. Losing Mixon in 2020 likely won't cost them a Lombardi.