CINCINNATI — Bengals running back Joe Mixon returned for a seventh season in Cincinnati after taking a pay cut last summer.

The 27-year-old finished the season with 1,034 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 52 receptions for 376 yards and three more scores.

Will he be back next season?

While Mixon’s future was a major talking point for months prior to the 2023 campaign, a decision should come much sooner this offseason.

The veteran is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 16, the fourth day of the new league year. That bonus becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster.

That means Mike Brown, Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn and the Bengals will have to make a decision about Mixon’s future ahead of March 16. If he’s on the roster, not only will he get the bonus, but he’ll be on the team in 2024.

If they want to go in a different direction, they’ll do so before giving him the $3 million bonus. It’s worth noting that Mixon’s cap hit will be $8.9 million in 2024 if he does stick around.

The Bengals have plenty of decisions to make. Mixon’s future is likely undecided at this point, but it’s one of the many topics the front office will discuss over the next few months.