Bengals Aim to Re-Sign Offensive Lineman Dalton Risner

Cincinnati's director of player personnel Duke Tobin discusses the team's desire to bring back the veteran guard after his strong first season with the Bengals.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 8:49pm

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Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin expressed the team's interest in re-signing offensive lineman Dalton Risner, who just completed a one-year, $1.19 million contract with the team. Risner played well in his first season with the Bengals, starting at both right and left guard and earning a career-best 69.4 Pro Football Focus grade. Tobin praised Risner's fit with the team and said the Bengals have had discussions about keeping him in Cincinnati.

Why it matters

Retaining Dalton Risner would help the Bengals maintain continuity on an offense that was one of the league's best in 2025. Risner solidified the interior of the offensive line and his return would allow Cincinnati to focus on improving a defense that was one of the NFL's worst units last season.

The details

Risner, a seven-year NFL veteran, signed with the Bengals just before the start of the 2025 season and went on to start 15 games at guard. He played 767 snaps and earned a career-high 69.4 PFF grade, the fifth-highest on the Bengals among players with at least 350 snaps. Tobin said Risner "fit in well" with the team and "became a great fit" for Cincinnati's offensive scheme.

  • Risner just wrapped up a one-year $1.19 million contract in his seventh NFL campaign.
  • The Bengals will have decisions to make on Risner's future in the coming months.

The players

Dalton Risner

A seven-year NFL veteran offensive guard who played his first season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, starting 15 games and earning a career-best 69.4 Pro Football Focus grade.

Duke Tobin

The director of player personnel for the Cincinnati Bengals, who discussed the team's desire to re-sign Dalton Risner after his strong 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“He came in late to the process. Really fit in. I thought we ended up being a great fit for him in how we play, and he became a great fit for us, and came in and filled a need for us.”

— Duke Tobin, Director of Player Personnel, Cincinnati Bengals

“I've really found a home here. I've really enjoyed this season. I think it'll be a good March for me. Personally, I'd love it if the Bengals didn't let me get to March. That's not my choice. The ball is in their court. I'd love to stay and be a Bengal.”

— Dalton Risner

What’s next

The Bengals and Risner will work to try and reach a new contract agreement before the start of free agency in March.

The takeaway

Retaining Dalton Risner would be an important move for the Bengals as they look to build on their strong 2025 offense and address the team's defensive needs. Risner proved to be a valuable addition to Cincinnati's offensive line, and the team is motivated to keep him in the fold.