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FILE – Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner is introduced before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cincinnati, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo\/David Dermer, file)<\/p>\n
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CINCINNATI (AP) \u2014 For the first time in Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow\u2019s career, the starting offensive line for the following season is set before the start of free agency after right guard Dalton Risner signed a one-year deal on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a critical part of our offensive line,\u201d coach Zac Taylor said. \u201cA guy that showed up a week before the season started for the first game, played over half of that game and continued to play at a high level all season for us to give us a ton of confidence in our offensive line play. Dalton not only has a high talent level but a wealth of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Risner signed with the Bengals late last August when their depth was tested because of injuries and quickly found himself on the field. He ended up making 11 starts for Cincinnati, playing what he viewed as the best football of his seven-year career.<\/p>\n
Risner has made 92 starts in the NFL, including four years as a full-time starter with the Denver Broncos. With the Bengals, Risner impressed with his physicality, his pass protection and his hustle.<\/p>\n
He also felt like he \u201cfound a home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m full of gratitude,\u201d Risner said on Monday. \u201cI could go on and on about every reason I wanted to come back and how you\u2019ve welcomed me and my wife with open arms. We\u2019ve known about this deal for the last 48 hours, and it\u2019s been one of the hardest secrets to keep ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Signing a contract before the start of the new league year next week was a welcome change for Risner, whose free agency has lingered into May, August and even September in recent seasons. He had ups and downs on the field in prior seasons and wasn\u2019t targeted in free agency as an immediate starter.<\/p>\n
Risner\u2019s performance last season made the free agency process much different for Risner this time around. He knew his value as an impact pass protector, and the Bengals rewarded him at a right guard position where the organization hasn\u2019t spent much on in free agency over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness to come back here, especially with the ups and downs of last season,\u201d Risner said. \u201cTruth be told, after the season, I told everyone this is where I wanted to be. When it came to this process, it did take a bit of time. The Bengals and myself were proactive in getting this deal done.\u201d<\/p>\n
It got to the point, Risner said, where he \u201cstarted putting pressure on his agent\u201d to make sure a deal with Cincinnati got done.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t really care to hit free agency and see if someone wanted to sign me to a two or three-year deal or pay me more cash per year,\u201d said the 30-year-old Risner. \u201cI wanted to be a Cincinnati Bengal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he signed with the Bengals last August, he was getting ready by working out in a local park. He did pass protection reps on his own hoping that he\u2019d get a call from the team. Risner\u2019s patience paid off when he got his opportunity to play for the Bengals.<\/p>\n
Near the end of last season, Risner\u2019s teammates were openly pushing for him to be re-signed in interviews with reporters. Over the past two days, Risner has spoken to a lot of those players about their mutual excitement for him to be back with the team for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis process (in free agency) was so much different because I\u2019ve never felt this way about an organization,\u201d Risner said. \u201cI\u2019ve never truly just wanted to be back and not even test my market. I\u2019m at the point of my career where this is going to be my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
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