Free agent guard Dalton Risner wants to join the Bengals

Adding another offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft figures to be a top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals, and even if an early pick is spent on one, signing another free agent along with Lucas Patrick would be a wise move to make.

But free agency remains a two-way street. The player needs to want to play for the team as much as the team wants the player to play for them.

Luckily, there is a free agent who has openly admitted his desire to play for the Bengals, leaving the club as the side who needs to match his energy.

Free agent G Dalton Risner wants to play for the Bengals

Dalton Risner is one of the top remaining guards on the veteran free agent market. He spent the previous two seasons starting 20 games (including postseason) for the Minnesota Vikings and was a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos back in 2019 where he spent the first four years of his career.

The Wrightway Sports Network's Malik Wright posted a TikTok on his account on March 14 saying the Bengals need to sign Risner, and from his own account, Risner himself commented in agreement.

"Would LOVE to be a Bengal." 

The account, which has over 5,400 followers on the app, is in fact Risner's. Tagged in the account is Risner's wife, Whitney Risner, who founded Waawees Jewelry and has over 1 million TikTok followers. Whitney also commented on the post as well,  

Interest from the Risner's is as clear as day, but what about the Bengals? Risner has been a free agent for almost a month and there's been no report of any interest in the 29-year old lineman. In fact, Risner was a free agent last offseason when the Bengals could've used a left guard to challenge starter Cordell Volson, and the team didn't pursue him.

Why the Bengals have declined to add Risner up to this point isn't known, but a connection between player and team may help explain it.

Why the Bengals will or won't pursue Dalton Risner

The Bengals hired Justin Rascati last year as their pass game coordinator, a position they created just to hire him. Rascati spent the previous two seasons with the Vikings as the team's assistant offensive line coach. The previous three years were with the Broncos as an offensive quality control coach.

Four of the five years Rascati spent coaching before he came to Cincinnati were spent with Risner. If anyone on the staff would have an informed opinion of Risner, it would be him.  

That could be a positive opinion, or a not so positive opinion.

The interesting aspect about Risner is despite the fact that he's been viewed as a quality starter for his entire career, he's spent the last two offseasons waiting in limbo before signing a contract. He originally signed with the Vikings after the 2023 season began, and didn't re-sign with the team until late May of last year. Now it's April and he remains unsigned.

If the Bengals wanted to sign Risner over Patrick, they probably would have since Risner is clearly interested in playing for them. Maybe Rascati has already given his take on him, or maybe the higher powers of the front office just aren't interested.

Should this pairing materialize, the most likely scenario would be the Bengals not finding the guard they want in the draft and they turn to the veteran free agent market for answers. 

Odds point to Risner still be available then and he may get his wish, or it's already been decided isn't getting an offer.