CINCINNATI -- The Bengals signed HB Joe Mixon to a four-year rookie contract, the team announced Friday.
Mixon, 20, stood out at the University of Oklahoma, rushing for for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries and 538 yards and five touchdowns on 37 catches over 12 games last year. He set single-season school records for all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards per game and was named First-Team All-Big 12.
However, the team's choice to draft Mixon was controversial, as he punched a woman in the face three years ago. That incident was caught on video and Oklahoma suspended Mixon for a season. There were reports earlier this year that many NFL teams were not considering drafting him.
Mixon has since settled a lawsuit with the woman and apologized. Coach Marvin Lewis said he wanted to give Mixon another chance.
The Bengals didn't specify details of the contract, but it was reportedly worth about $5.5 million over the four years.
Based on his slotting in the second round, Joe Mixon's deal will be worth in the neighborhood of $5.5m over four years.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 2, 2017
Mixon was the Bengals' second-round pick in this year's draft. Of the 11 draftees, just two remain unsigned: DE Jordan Willis and C J.J. Dielman.
