Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or D'Andre Swift

Thursday, February 5, 8:40 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Thursday that running back Joe Mixon (foot, ankle) will attempt to play in 2026, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. "Joe (Mixon) worked really hard to get himself ready. He's committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We'll see if he's physically able to do it or not. It's a little bit of a moving target," Caserio said. The GM said late last month that Mixon's foot/ankle injury last year was a "freak thing" that ended up keeping him out all year. The 29-year-old will attempt to play in 2026, but Caserio admits that it's no sure thing. Mixon has one year left on the three-year, $25.5 contract restructure that he signed in March of 2024, and the Texans can clear $8 million in salary cap space this year by cutting him. Even if Mixon sticks on Houston's roster, they could add to the RB position after Woody Marks took over as the primary back in 2025.

Saturday, January 31, 5:46 AM

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift posted another solid season in 2025, recording 1,386 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 257 touches across 16 games. Swift has quietly been one of the NFL's most consistent backs in recent years, recording at least 1,250 scrimmage yards and missing just two contests over his past three campaigns. However, Swift may find himself competing for the RB1 role in Chicago in 2026 with fellow Bears running back Kyle Monangai. A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Monangai racked up 947 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns across 17 games played as a rookie. Down the stretch of the 2025 season, Swift and Monangai split backfield work relatively evenly, with neither back playing fewer than 40% or greater than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in any game between Week 12 and Week 18. Swift is entering his age-27 season and will be a free agent after the 2026 campaign, so Chicago could be looking at Monangai as its running back of the future. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has proven an ability to support fantasy production for two backs throughout his time as an NFL play-caller. Still, fantasy managers may want to prepare for a decrease in Swift's workload in 2026 and beyond.