The Cincinnati Bengals secured a key piece of their offensive line by re-signing veteran guard Dalton Risner to a one-year, $5 million contract as the NFL free agency period approaches. Risner, who joined the Bengals prior to the 2025 season, faced an initially difficult start after a play led to quarterback Joe Burrow sustaining a turf toe injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the year.
Reflecting on that moment, Risner admitted the weight of the incident, stating,
“I’ll always remember it. I’m never gonna forget about it. I’ve always been a guy that’s gonna be real. Let’s just call it for what it is, man. We live in a world where we all try to be perfect, and we all try to have it all put together all the time, and no one wants to admit their mistakes. I’d rather do the opposite. I’d rather be exactly who I am and call it for what it is.”
Joe Burrow’s Encouraging Words to Risner After Re-signing
Shortly after Risner finalized his contract extension, he revealed the encouraging message he received from Joe Burrow. When Burrow learned of Risner’s return, he was pushing sleds during practice and expressed strong optimism for the upcoming season. Risner recounted,
“He was grinding on sled pushes at the moment and told me that it was gonna be our year, and he was super excited to have me back.”
He added,
“I want to keep that dude healthy and go win some serious football games this year.”
Risner’s Impact and Improvement During the 2025 Season
Despite the rocky start to the year, Risner emerged as an essential contributor for the Bengals, posting impressive statistics. According to Sports Illustrated analyst Russell Heltman,
“There is no big celebration for Risner as he plays out his Age 31 season after the best campaign of his career. His 98.0% pass block efficiency was a career high and ranked eighth-best in the league among starting guards. He added a 97.6% pass block efficiency in True Pass Sets, ranking 3rd among starting guards.”
Pro Football Focus also recognized Risner’s advancement, naming him the most improved guard of the season. They noted that the Bengals’ offensive line had struggled for years, beginning the 2025 campaign similarly challenged. Risner, arriving as a free agent, was expected to bolster the unit’s interior power. Early on, Risner earned a 56.8 PFF grade and allowed eight pressures and a sack in six games. But following a brief absence, he returned stronger, earning a 79.6 PFF grade with just nine pressures and a sack across eight games, and ranking 11th among guards for pass blocking with a 79.3 PFF grade.
Significance of Risner’s New Contract for Bengals’ Future
While the Bengals’ overall season results left room for improvement, Risner’s performance stood out as a bright spot, making his retention an important move as offseason preparations begin for 2026. Expressing satisfaction upon signing, Risner said,
“It’s a relief because I’m coming back to somewhere I love. With coaches and players that I love and respect, a staff that I respect, the team I want to play for, a team that respects me and values me and believes in me, and that’s all you can ask for.”
He continued with optimism for the season ahead, adding,
“I’m elated, and we’re going to have a great year, man. I’m going to help the Bengals win, and it’s our year.”
Risner’s re-signing and Burrow’s determined support underline the commitment within the Bengals organization to overcome past setbacks and aim for significant success in 2026. Their combined focus on health and team cohesion will be crucial as the team navigates the challenges of the upcoming NFL season.
