Vikings' Dalton Risner Flirts With Move to Former Super Bowl Team

A late signing to the team the past two seasons as Minnesota struggled to develop capable guards, Risner has not been a necessity to the Vikings.

The 2019 second-round pick by the Denver Broncos started 20 games for Minnesota but was never made a priority. He was a midseason signing in 2023 and was not signed until late May of last year.

This offseason, the Vikings splurged on the offensive line for the first time, offering a lucrative five-year, $88 million contract to former Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries.

And while Risner has let his free agency play out late into the offseason for several years now, he's begun to shift his focus elsewhere in the NFL.

TWSN founder Malik Wright shared a comment from Risner on one of his Tik Toks where the Vikings guard, who is currently a free agent, said he would "love" to play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Would LOVE to be a Bengal," Risner wrote.

Risner's message comes in light of the Bengals handing out megadeals to Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase as Cincinnati is poised to have a supercharged offense for years to come.

A locker room and fan favorite, Risner has played this song and dance before, currying favor among several teams as a free agent. 

The veteran guard, while limited as a run-blocker, has been one of the most consistent pass protectors in the league -- allowing just 11 sacks in six seasons and never more than 30 pressures in a season.

However, he's never been made a priority free agent.

Last spring, in an interview with Topeka, Kansas, CBS affiliate WIBW, Risner addressed his extended free agency as a player who has been “undervalued” in the NFL.

“I’m a guy that realizes I’m not the best guard in the league, but I know this: I’ve started 75 games in my five-year career. I don’t miss games due to injury, definitely don’t miss it due to anything but injury. I’m a guy that you’re going to have counted on every single Sunday,” Risner said. “I’m going to be the first to the pile. I’m going to hustle. I’m going to work my butt off. I’m not going to say I’m going to do it easily, but I’m going to block guys like Chris Jones and hold my own, and I’m just still undervalued.”

The Vikings could still bring in Risner after he showed his versatility, taking over for Ed Ingram at right guard midseason after playing left guard his entire career.

However, Minnesota also paid Blake Brandel a three-year, $9.5 million contract a year ago and did not seem intrigued to start him after trotting out Ingram, who led the league in pressures in his first two seasons, out for nine games before making a change.