Jan. 25, 2026, 4:07 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> didn\u2019t waste much time getting one key free-agent back in the fold<\/a> early in the offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n But the next one the Bengals<\/a> need to attack is even more obvious: Dalton Risner.\u00a0<\/p>\n Risner has already made it clear<\/a> he wants to come back to the Bengals in 2026. And his contributions on the field make it justifiable if fans wonder what the holdup might be.\u00a0<\/p>\n RELATED:Bengals draft outlook: The last 10 picks at No. 10 overall<\/a><\/p>\n A late addition to the team, Risner stabilized when healthy for the season\u2019s second half and finished ranked 23rd out of 80 guards<\/a> in the NFL at PFF.\u00a0<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n If the Bengals can get Risner back in the fold, they wouldn\u2019t have to worry about the starting five of Orlando Brown, Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Risner and Amarius Mims.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Bengals have hits on their hands with Fairchild and Mims. They\u2019ll need to start thinking about the long-term behind Brown and Karras soon enough. That can happen in this draft, but there\u2019s little reason to create a new immediate need by letting Risner walk.\u00a0<\/p>\n Risner coming back to the Bengals feels like a formality, which is nice. But fans probably wouldn\u2019t mind if the team just got it done to provide some peace of mind.<\/p>\n Bengals\u2019 key deadline will signal cut candidate\u2019s fate<\/a> Bengals get an important free agent contract done early<\/a> Bengals players who regressed the most in 2025<\/a> Bengals contract extension candidates this offseason<\/a> Bengals draft outlook: The last 10 picks at No. 10 overall<\/a><\/p>\n