Dalton Risner agrees to one-year deal with Vikings

Dalton Risner agrees to one-year deal with Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are shoring up their interior offensive line, agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract with free agent guard Dalton Risner, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday.

Dalton Risner gets a 1-year deal worth $4M, source said. https://t.co/Rejh5fn1D3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2023

The deal will guarantee Risner $2.25 million with additional incentives that could bump it to $4 million, according to Vikings beat reporter Alec Jones of The Athletic.

Terms on #Vikings agreed deal with G Dalton Risner, per source: Up to $4 million with $2.25 million guaranteed. https://t.co/Q0wOzxbp70

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 18, 2023

The Vikings have had a frustrating 0-2 start mired by turnovers, but the team’s inability to run the ball–especially in between the tackles–has prompted inopportune situations for the Vikings’ offense.

It’s plagued the organization each of the last two years but exacerbated itself through two weeks, albeit against two good front-sevens. Risner was arguably the best free agent interior offensive lineman on the market, and Minnesota’s currently a bottom-three team in yards per carry (2.7). It’s a move, that in theory, should help, even though he’s traditionally been better as a pass blocker than he has as a run blocker.

Risner, 28, started 62 games in four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Last season, he allowed just three sacks and had just one penalty called on him in 967 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus; he was graded as the 30th-best guard in 2022 after being the 23rd-best in 2021.

Risner plans to presumably start long-term, likely replacing second-year guard Ed Ingram, who’s significantly underperformed at right guard. If he were to kick over to left guard, his natural position, Ezra Cleveland could shift over to right guard as Ingram’s replacement.

He has familiarity with the Vikings coaching staff, playing under current Minnesota offensive line coaches Chris Kuper and Justin Rascati with the Broncos from 2019-21. It’s uncertain whether he’ll get reps in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but this was a transaction that’s been discussed up north even before Risner’s visit before training camp opened in early August.

This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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