Former Broncos high draft pick lands new deal for 2026

Former Broncos high draft pick lands new deal for 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Dalton Risner can take a deep breath this spring. Two times in the past three offseasons, Risner has spent the entire summer wondering where his NFL career was headed. For the coming season, he can start making preparations early. 

On Monday, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Risner to a new, one-year contract extension worth $5 million. Risner signed with the Bengals following the preseason last year and joined the roster as a backup. However, he soon found his way into the starting lineup. He did enough to convince the Bengals to give him a longer look as part of their offensive line. 

Risner began his career with the Denver Broncos after being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft. He played with the team for four seasons, starting in all 62 of the games he played for the team. But once his rookie contract expired, the team chose not to re-sign. 

That led to Risner sitting on the sidelines for most of the 2023 offseason before signing a deal with the Minnesota Vikings. After two seasons there, his career was again left in doubt before the Bengals, who have had one of the worst offensive lines in the league for years, brought him aboard. 

Back as a Bengal. pic.twitter.com/nMRLlKmS5t

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 3, 2026

Risner, born in Colorado, was a fan favorite in Denver and he remains that way several years later. Despite his separation from the team, Broncos Country still roots for his success. 

Risner won't be guaranteed a starting job in Cincinnati, but he does give the team a veteran presence with over 100 games of NFL experience. As things currently sit, the Bengals have three young guards in Dylan Fairchild, Cordell Volson and Jalen Rivers who will all look to take snaps from Risner. 

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But for Risner, getting this deal done before the start of free agency rather than days before the season starts has to feel good.

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