It is almost that time for the Cincinnati Bengals and fourth-year running back Joe Mixon as the two sides will need to come to terms on a contract extension sooner rather than later if the former Oklahoma Sooners standout is going to remain with the AFC North franchise moving forward.

Unfortunately for Mixon, though, NFL running backs have had a hard time getting paid the big bucks outside a few outliers from over the course of the last few seasons.

Even so, according to a recent report from Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Mixon seems to have an idea of where he wants to be in terms of his next NFL contract.

“Sources told The Enquirer, Mixon hopes to receive an extension that places him amongst the top eight highest-paid running backs in the league, which puts him north of $8 million a year,” writes Dragon. “Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey signed an extension this offseason making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. He’ll average an annual salary of $16 million. New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley currently has the eighth-richest contract among running backs. Barkley’s average salary is $7.7 million a year.”

Of course, the Bengals will be look to pair Mixon with soon-to-be rookie quarterback Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati backfield got a whole lot better this offseason as the team infamously selected the former LSU Tigers standout and Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Not only that, though, but the Bengals still employ Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green and still went on to select another soon-to-be rookie in former Clemson Tigers wide out Tee Higgins with the top pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.