For as long as Joe Burrow has been in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have been trying to get their offensive line right. From band-aid tackles to what seems like a revolving door of guards, the better part of the last six years has left fans hoping for improvements in the offseason.
Despite Burrow missing time with a turf toe injury, the Bengals quietly had their best offensive line of the Burrow era. Ted Karras was a strong, reliable force in the middle, just as he’s always been. Dylan Fairchild gave us a lot to look forward to after his rookie year.
Despite getting older, Orlando Brown Jr. was solid overall on the left side. Former first-round pick Amarius Mims flashed All-Pro potential, especially late in the season. All four of those players are under contract in Cincinnati next season.
The one who isn’t? Guard Dalton Risner.
Risner was signed by the Bengals in late August before being forced into game action when Lucas Patrick went down with an injury in the season opener. Risner wasn’t quite in football shape yet, it would appear. He would move back to the bench in favor of rookie Jalen Rivers for a few weeks before making his way back into the starting lineup and not looking back.
When James Rapien asked Mims about his growth this year, he gave Risner tons of credit for his success. Mims made it extremely clear that he wants Risner back and even joked that he would sign him to the contract himself if he could.
“I feel like he’s one of the best right guards in the NFL,” Mims said in the full conversation. “He’s helped my game tremendously. As you can see, once we step down beside each other, each week you can see us getting better and better beside each other. I fully stand behind him. I fully support him. I want him back. I want him to be my right guard next year. I won’t rest until he is my right guard next year.”
Mims also took to his personal Twitter account to vouch for his teammate.
Mims wants Risner back. The vast majority of fans do as well. It would make sense to have continuity on an offensive line that finally put it together for the 0ft-injured face of the franchise. But both sides have to want that to happen.
As far as Risner goes, he has also made it very clear that he wants to return to Cincinnati. He went as far as to say he hopes the Bengals reward him with a new contract before free agency in March.
This feels like a layup. The Bengals can appease their fans, appease their fanbase, and keep a quality player in their building, likely for a hometown discount (to an extent).
Time will tell if the two sides come to an agreement, but there certainly appears to be momentum for a deal to get done, something the two sides can make happen at any time.
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