The Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line is a story of redemption, but will a key piece remain? For years, fans have clamored for stability on the offensive front, and in 2025, it finally arrived. With Orlando Brown Jr. anchoring the left tackle position, rookie Dylan Fairchild exceeding expectations at left guard, Ted Karras providing his usual dependable performance at center, and Amarius Mims showcasing All-Pro caliber play in his second year, the unit looked stronger than ever. The good news? All four of these stalwarts are slated to return next season. This leaves just one crucial question mark: Dalton Risner.
Risner joined the Bengals late last August, and a timely injury to Lucas Patrick in the season's opening game thrust him into action just two weeks after signing. While he experienced some initial hurdles as he regained game shape, Risner transformed into a rock-solid presence for the second half of the season. He's been on a series of one-year contracts, and his deal with Cincinnati was no different. Now, with a strong season under his belt, he's set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year kicks off on March 11th. The fanbase is vocal about wanting him back, and Risner himself has publicly expressed his desire to remain a Bengal, placing the ball squarely in the team's front office.
According to a report on The Who Dey Light podcast by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, negotiations between the Bengals and Risner are in a "decent place." However, Dehner also cautioned that these discussions are likely to stretch all the way to the brink of free agency, which commences on March 9th with the legal tampering period. "It’s gonna get up to the free agency wire," Dehner stated.
There's a clear mutual interest in a reunion, but the specifics of contract terms will likely be a point of back-and-forth negotiation. A successful resolution would mean unprecedented continuity on the offensive line, a goal the Bengals have been striving for since 2020. Risner has expressed a preference for other teams not to interfere before he inks a new deal in Cincinnati. From the Bengals' perspective, securing a deal before other clubs can make an offer would be highly advantageous. Entering a bidding war isn't their typical modus operandi, and locking down their offensive line early would allow them to dedicate all their resources to bolstering their defense.
But here's where it gets potentially tricky... While there's mutual desire, the timeline suggests a potentially tense negotiation period. Will the Bengals be able to secure their man before another team swoops in with a more lucrative offer? Time will tell if a deal materializes, but for now, the outlook appears promising.
In other roster news, Dehner also indicated that the Bengals are unlikely to retain veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who is expected to attract interest from other teams. Similarly, Jake Browning is also not anticipated to be brought back.
And this is the part most people miss... The offensive line's success in 2025 was a significant step forward. But is the team's priority truly on maintaining that strength, or will other needs take precedence? What do you think the Bengals should prioritize in free agency? Let us know in the comments below – do you agree that keeping Risner is paramount, or are there other areas that demand more attention?
