The Minnesota Vikings made a concerted effort to change the complexion of their interior offensive line this offseason, adding center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries while releasing center Garrett Bradbury and trading guard Ed Ingram.
Left guard Blake Brandel seems vulnerable to losing his starting job, from either a notable draft pick being anointed as his replacement or already-existing internal competition.
Still being available as the NFL Draft approaches is nothing new for veteran free agent guard Dalton Risner. He first signed with the Minnesota Vikings in September of 2023, then he re-signed with them in May of 2024. He wound up starting 19 games over those two seasons, between both guard spots (11 starts at left guard in 2023, eight starts at right guard in 2024).
Risner is a capable guard, particularly as a pass blocker, so it's odd that he is, once again, still available past the peak of free agency. Teams seemingly being more aware of the compensatory draft pick formula adds another layer to why he's still looking for a team to play for in 2025.
Risner started last season on IR, but returned to start the final eight regular-season games and the Vikings' playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. So, health concerns should not be a factor in his lingering availability.
Dalton Risner teases faint potential for a return to the Minnesota Vikings
This week, Risner posted a video on social media updating the world on his free agency.
“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 also named the Denver Broncos, the team that drafted him in 2019 and where he spent his first four NFL seasons, and the Cincinnati Bengals as potential landing spots.
He openly stated his desire to play for the Bengals earlier this month, for what it's worth, and looking at depth charts they seem like his most likely landing spot among those three teams.
A financial boom in the guard market, more so last offseason than this offseason, has avoided Risner. Him saying the Vikings have shown interest in bringing him back "only to an extent" perhaps reveals why he is lingering available yet again.
Minnesota has not met his asking price, and other teams also have not. Otherwise, he'd be signed, and he wouldn't have to advertise his availability on social media every so often.