The Bengals have made a significant move this offseason by re-signing veteran offensive lineman Dalton Risner. The announcement came from an unexpected source: Risner”s wife, Whitney Risner, who shared the news on social media on Monday morning. According to reports from Adam Schefter and Risner”s agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O”Dare, the new deal is for one year and could be valued at up to $5 million.
Risner initially joined the Bengals on August 28, 2025, signing a one-year contract. During the previous season, he played in 14 games and made 11 starts, proving to be a key contributor on the offensive line. His performance earned him a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.4, making him the highest-rated lineman among the Bengals” starting five. Risner ranked 17th in pass block grade (71.5) and 23rd in run block grade (69.0) among his peers, showcasing his effectiveness in both aspects of the game.
The return of Risner ensures that the Bengals maintain continuity on their offensive line for the upcoming season. Duke Tobin, the Bengals” director of player personnel, expressed his appreciation for Risner during the NFL Combine, highlighting how well he fit into the team”s system. “It 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,” Tobin stated. “Did a nice job, fit in well, got a ton of respect for him, really enjoyed getting to know him.”
With Risner back in the fold, the Bengals look poised to strengthen their offensive line as they prepare for the challenges of the new season. His experience and performance will be invaluable as the team aims to build on last season”s successes.
