Bengals Retain Veteran Guard Dalton Risner on Two-Year Deal

Risner, a key reserve who stepped up as a starter, signs an affordable contract to remain in Cincinnati.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed veteran guard Dalton Risner to a two-year contract, keeping the 31-year-old in the fold after he played a key role as a reserve and spot starter for the team's offensive line in 2026. Risner, who was set to hit free agency, proved his value by stepping up when injuries struck the Bengals' line, providing solid pass protection for quarterback Joe Burrow down the stretch.

Why it matters

Retaining Risner is an important move for the Bengals as they look to maintain continuity on their offensive line and keep Burrow well-protected. Risner's experience and reliability as a reserve and spot starter made him a valuable piece, and the team was able to sign him to an affordable two-year deal rather than risk losing him to free agency.

The details

Risner signed a two-year contract with the Bengals worth a total of $4.8 million, with $1.2 million guaranteed. He played 69.1% of the team's offensive snaps in 2026 after joining the team late in the offseason, and was one of the league's best pass-blocking guards down the stretch, allowing just nine pressures over the final seven games. The Bengals view Risner as an important depth piece who can step in and start if needed, and the team was able to retain him on a team-friendly deal.

  • Risner signed his new contract with the Bengals on February 11, 2026, just ahead of the start of NFL free agency.

The players

Dalton Risner

A 31-year-old veteran guard who has spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, providing valuable depth and spot-starting experience on the offensive line.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' star quarterback, who has benefited from the team's efforts to build a strong offensive line to protect him.

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What they’re saying

“Dalton Risner proved his worth to us last season, and we're thrilled to have him back on an affordable deal that keeps our offensive line depth intact.”

— Mike Brown, Bengals Owner (Bengals.com)

What’s next

The Bengals will continue to work on retaining their other key free agents, including linebacker Germaine Pratt and defensive tackle D.J. Reader, as they look to build on their success from the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Bengals' ability to re-sign a valuable veteran like Dalton Risner on a team-friendly deal demonstrates their commitment to maintaining continuity and depth on the offensive line, which is crucial to protecting their franchise quarterback Joe Burrow and keeping the team's Super Bowl aspirations alive.