The Minnesota Vikings saw numerous players leave their facility for the final time this offseason. Among those were offensive linemen Ed Ingram, who was traded to Houston, and Garrett Bradbury, who was released after the addition of Ryan Kelly from the Colts.
Free Agent Willing to Run it Back with Vikings, Says the Player.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner (66) and tackle Brian O’Neill (75) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Ingram, of course, was benched halfway through the 2024 season, his third underwhelming campaign. The Vikings inserted Dalton Risner into their lineup for the second straight year. He also left because his contract expired, but in a recent social media appearance, he implied that he wouldn’t be against a third year in the Twin Cities.
“Minnesota has shown interest in bringing me back, but only to an extent. I mean, they went out and signed a guard for a lot of money, so it has to be the other side of the ball, and Blake Brandel is a heck of a football player, so I don’t know what their plan would be with me, but if they’re willing to work with me, I’m willing to work with them, because I love Minnesota so much.”
Risner was signed after Week 2 in 2023 and took Ezra Cleveland’s starting job at left guard in Week 7, allowing the Vikings to trade Cleveland to Jacksonville. He played left guard for four years in Denver, so moving back to that side after a one-year switch wouldn’t be a problem.
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
At this point, Blake Brandel is the obvious starter, barring another acquisition. The Vikings could use their first-round pick to draft Grey Zabel or Tyler Booker to take that spot.
Signing Risner would give Brandel some competition, and he would basically be insurance for the converted tackle, pretty much like last year for Ingram.
Risner then asked the viewers of his live stream where he would sign, floating the Vikings, Broncos, and Bengals as options.
The guard was drafted in 2019 when the Vikes needed some offensive line help, so he was a popular guy in mock drafts. Ultimately, the franchise drafted Garrett Bradbury in the first round, and Risner went to Denver in the second.
He has played in 87 career games (81 starts), and it’s not his first rodeo on social media in the offseason, trying to generate some interest for his services. Just a couple of weeks ago, he interacted with Bengals fans, saying he would love to play for them. In the previous two years, he did the same thing with the Vikings.
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) celebrates after a touchdown with guard Dalton Risner (66) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Risner is a strange item in the NFL world because he is a starting-caliber offensive lineman, and there should be interest in him. For some reason, he keeps struggling to find work and has to settle for cheap deals in Minnesota, long after most free agents signed deals.
His PFF resume isn’t bad by any means.
Risner is a decent pass protector, but is not nearly as strong in run blocking, which could be a no-go for NFL teams, although it should be noted that worse guards are trotted out there on a regular basis.
The veteran will turn 30 in July. There’s a chance he will find a new employer soon, perhaps shortly after the draft.