The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos could be fighting over the same free agent running back ahead of the tampering period on Monday.
SportsBoom's Jason La Canfora reports that the Chiefs, Steelers, and Broncos are monitoring running back Joe Mixon's market.
Mixon was released by the Houston Texans last week after missing the entire 2025 campaign with a foot injury.
The Chiefs have been going by committee at the running back position in recent years, without a true bellow, and sources said several people in that organization are high on Mixon.
Denver has also been looking for more power and consistency in its running game and Mixon would be a good fit in Sean Payton’s offense. The Steelers saw plenty of Mixon in his prime during his length stint in the AFC North with the Bengals, and with Kenneth Gainwell a free agent league sources indicated Pittsburgh has interest in the running back as well.
Though Mixon didn't play in 2025, the 29-year-old could still be a difference-maker for a contender.
The last time he was on the field in 2024, Mixon tallied 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, earning his second career Pro Bowl selection.
Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Denver all have pressing needs at running back, especially the Chiefs and Steelers, whose 2025 starters are hitting the market. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt for Kansas City, and Kenneth Gainwell for Pittsburgh.
Denver could also look to add Mixon to pair with RJ Harvey, as the Broncos must field a more efficient rushing attack in 2026.
With the tampering period kicking off, we could see the Chiefs, Steelers, and Broncos get in a bidding war for Mixon in the foreseeable future.
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