Bengals are finally taking the next step to solve a problem that should’ve never gotten so out of hand
Cincinnati is hosting another free agent this week.
The NFL regular season is under three weeks away, and the Cincinnati Bengals don’t have a good option to start at right guard on the current roster. This is why help from the outside is needed, and may finally arrive this week.
Per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Bengals will host free agent G Dalton Risner for a visit Tuesday.
This match has made sense for the entire offseason. Risner has started 81 games since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s played the vast majority of his snaps at left guard, but started nine games at RG for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season and playoffs.
The scouting report on Risner is simple. He’s a solid pass protector who rarely gets flagged. He’s never had a season in which he was charged with more than four sacks allowed or was penalized more than three times.
For a Bengals team that has practically nothing at the RG spot, that’s the equivalent of a godsend. Lucas Patrick, who signed as a free agent in March, is penciled in as the starter but has been uninspiring through one preseason game and all of training camp. Cody Ford was moved back to backup swing tackle, and Cordell Volson now has a shoulder injury.
On top of being their best option to start, Risner’s ties to the Bengals can be found with pass game coordinator Justin Rascati. Rascati was a part of offensive coaching staffs for both the Denver Broncos and Vikings during three of Risner’s first four years in the league.
Risner himself even stated back in the spring he would “LOVE” to be a Bengal this year. The pairing is so obvious that this visit should result in a signed contract.
If not, then Bengals fans may resort to convince Risner to stay in town regardless.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations and a recent history of o-line issues, it’s frankly absurd that Cincinnati let the RG situation deteriorate to this level with the season 20 days away. Signing Risner would be an immense help, and not a single moment too soon.
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