When Dalton Risner joined the Bengals for practice, it felt familiar. He had a similar visit with the Broncos before the 2019 draft. Back then, Justin Rascati, now the Bengals’ passing game coordinator, was an assistant coach in Denver and remembers Risner well.
“He never has a bad day,” Rascati said after practice. “Football matters to him. He fits in perfectly with the O-Line. Plus, he has a great personality.”
The Broncos selected Risner in the second round, and he went on to start 81 games with Denver and Minnesota. Now, with the Bengals, he joins one of the most experienced offensive line groups the team has seen in years. Three players are over 30, and five are starting their seventh season or more in the league.
To find a similar level of experience in the Bengals’ history, you’d have to look back to 2001 and legends like Willie Anderson, Richmond Webb, and Matt O’Dwyer.
“We have a lot of starts among us,” said left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. “It makes it easier to gel. Dalton’s successful, and that will help us.”
Noah Fant, a tight end for the Bengals and Risner’s old buddy from Denver, is thrilled about the reunion. They met during the draft weekend back in 2019 and have stayed friends since.
“It’s a perfect fit for him here. I’m excited to have him on the team,” Fant said. “We know we’re going to pass the ball a lot. Dalton is strong in pass protection and can block well for the run. His athleticism is underrated, and he will make our team stronger.”
For Fant, having Risner back means more than just football. “We’ve had a lot of good times together,” he shared. “It’s funny how life works out. It’s pretty special.”
Center Ted Karras, preparing for his 100th NFL start, echoed Fant’s excitement. “He’s a professional and has been in the league for a while,” Karras said. “Having another good player in the room is awesome.”
Risner has also been part of some significant moments in the Bengals’ recent history. In December 2021, he played left guard for the Broncos when they won against the Bengals, a critical game that boosted Cincinnati’s playoff hopes. Just two years later, he was on the field again, this time with the Vikings, during a nail-biter that kept the Bengals in contention thanks to Tee Higgins’ impressive fourth-quarter performance.
As the Bengals gear up for the new season, Risner’s arrival not only boosts the team’s skills but also brings camaraderie and experience, which are invaluable in the tough landscape of the NFL.
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