Dalton Risner Predicted to Land with Vikings Rival
Free-agent offensive guard Dalton Riser met with the Minnesota Vikings in July, exploring a relationship for 2023 — one that has not panned out nearly a month after the visit.
The Vikings employ offensive line coach Chris Kuper, who coached Risner for a few seasons in Denver.
Dalton Risner Predicted to Land with Vikings Rival
And while Risner could still join the Vikings roster or any team, for that matter, Bleacher Report believes the 28-year-old will enter the NFC North — but as a member of the Chicago Bears.
BR’s Kristopher Knox examined the NFL’s top four remaining free agents with the regular season less than two weeks away, and when Risner entered the chat, he named the Bears the top suitor.
“Veteran guard Dalton Risner may not be a former Pro Bowler like Hunt, Dunlap and Ingram, but he’s a seasoned starter who could help a contender or a rebuilding team. Like Hunt, Risner has met with the Vikings. However, a different NFC North squad could soon be interested. The Chicago Bears will reportedly be without starting left guard Teven Jenkins when their 2023 season kicks off,” Knox explained.
Risner should be attainable for $4 to $7 million per year. The 6’5″ 310-pounder is also incredibly durable, playing 62 games in his career — starting all 62 — and missing only four contests in four years. He played 94% of all eligible games in Denver.
Knox added, “Risner, who has 62 starts on his resume, would be a terrific bridge option for the Bears and perhaps more. Teven Jenkins has flashed potential in Chicago, but he’s also battled injury issues in each of his first two seasons (the leg injury makes it three).”
Jenkins is indeed also expected to miss the start of the regular season, although the club has been skimpy about the injury particulars. Head coach Matt Eberflus said about Jenkins’ aliment this week, “We’re not going to disclose where or when or what or all that stuff because, you know, we don’t have to do that until Sept. 6. He’s a week-to-week guy, and that’s where he is right now.”
Risner is a steady guard, and it’s a little strange that no team has signed on his dotted line as of late August. This is his Pro Football Focus resume since turning pro four years ago:
- 2019 = 64.4
- 2020 = 61.3
- 2021 = 68.5
- 2022 = 61.1
Many Vikings fans wanted Risner signed a month ago — they also coveted him during the build-up to the 2019 NFL Draft, but the Vikings chose center Garrett Bradbury — so a Bears landing spot would assuredly inspire groans.
For now, the Vikings plan to roll with Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram as starting guards in 2023 despite a resume that suggests Risner could be an upgrade.
Oddsmakers forecast the Bears to win 7.5 games in 2023.
Vikings Release Once-Promising WR
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.