There’s Unusual Dalton Risner News
Every offseason for former Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner, free agency drags, and the man can’t find a team until late into the spring or summer. This g0-round, Risner is ahead of the pack, re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.
The Bengals’ decision keeps Risner on a steady track, a rarity for Cincinnati’s trenches.
Free agency gets underway in one week, but Risner’s offseason will now be uneventful. He’s a Bengal.
Why Cincinnati’s Move Matters For Risner’s 2026 Outlook
No waiting game this time for the veteran lineman.
Risner Re-Signs in CIN
The Bengals’ offensive line will retain a dependable guard.
SBNation‘s Jason Garrison wrote Monday, “Well kiss your case of the Mondays goodbye! The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed right guard Dalton Risner to a one-year deal, bringing him back to start between Ted Karras and Amarius Mims. He was signed last minute in 2025 and ended up starting 11 games and earned a pass-blocking grade of 71.5, which led the team.”
“This was on the list of things the Bengals needed to do before free agency opens, and it stops Risner from hitting the open market, where it’s very possible he could have landed elsewhere. It also allows the Bengals to focus their efforts on defense in free agency instead of guard.”
Guard-needy teams would’ve had Risner on their free-agent boards, but not anymore.
Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher recently noted on Risner and his offensive line, “I think you saw really, really good growth from our young players — Amarius, Dylan. Dalton, I thought he played really well for us. Ted is still playing excellent football. Orlando played well. Yeah, we are happy with where we are at there. We made some major strides in that area. Doesn’t mean there is not more work to do, because there is, but really pleased with the culture we have established in that room.”
“The types of guys we have in there. Guys who are coming into their own. Young players we brought here for a reason because we had a vision for them. You are starting to see that vision come to fruition. That’s a big deal. They should feel confidence from that. We should feel confidence from that as an organization as long as we continue to put the work in and make sure we stay in that trajectory.”
The 2025 Production
Risner was steady in 2025; it’s no wonder Cincinnati didn’t procrastinate his free agency. He played 767 offensive snaps, logging an impressive 69.4 mark from Pro Football Focus, with an even better 71.5 grade via pass protection and 69.0 in run-blocking.
He also surrendered just two sacks. All told, Risner allowed 17 quarterback pressures, which ranked 21st among guards leaguewide. PFF ranked the Bengals’ offensive line as the fifth-worst in the NFL last season — not ideal — but also noted Risner as the single-best lineman.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow evidently wanted Risner back. BengalsWire‘s Chris Roling scribed, “Talk about signing off on the whole thing, right? Burrow wanted the deal done and gets it. For the Bengals, it’s the first time in the Burrow era that they will actually return all five starting offensive linemen into a new season. Deserved, too.”
“Risner joined the team and had an impact in crafting the best offensive line of the Burrow era. He gets a small one-year pact and the franchise finally gets some much-needed continuity up front. And who knows? Maybe Burrow calls in to check on every deal as it happens. But this one? It feels pretty big.”
Career Resume and Time with Vikings
Risner was highly regarded in the Twin Cities, known for his aww-shucks persona and sturdy pass-blocking. Minnesota signed him late in the free-agent process in 2023 and 2024, mainly as depth, and both times, he found his way into the starting lineup.
Here’s his PFF resume since entering the pros as a 2nd-Rounder in 2019:
- 2025: 69.4
- 2024: 68.1
- 2023: 57.1
- 2022: 61.1
- 2021: 68.5
- 2020: 61.3
- 2019: 64.4
And his destination list over the years:
- Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
- Minnesota Vikings (2023–2024)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2025–now)
Risner was also linked to the Vikings during the 2019 draft lead-up, but Minnesota ultimately chose center Garrett Bradbury, who stuck around for six seasons.
Bengals OL
With Risner back, Cincinnati’s offensive line features these men under contract as starters for 2026:
- LT — Orlando Brown Jr.
- LG — Dylan Fairchild
- C — Ted Karras
- RG — Dalton Risner
- RT — Amarius Mims
Most mock drafts expect the Bengals to add a defensive player in Round 1 with the 10th pick, perhaps Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles after his fantabulous Combine showing.
Risner will turn 31 this summer. He won’t have to wonder where he’ll play on his birthday. His free agency took the fast track this time.
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