As the Minnesota Vikings wrap up their post-draft signings, attention turns to the gaping holes in their offensive line, particularly the left guard position left vacated by last year’s starters. The team traded Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who subsequently signed him to an extension, leaving a significant void. Meanwhile, Dalton Risner, a mid-season acquisition last year, finds himself without a contract as the new season approaches.
Despite expressing a strong desire to rejoin the Vikings as early as possible, Risner, a veteran at 28, remains unsigned. His dissatisfaction became public when he switched agents, hiring Drew Rosenhaus, and vented on social media and in interviews about his contract situation. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the Vikings find Risner’s financial expectations too steep, which has been a stumbling block in negotiations.
Risner’s performance last season was not up to his previous standards, with career lows in both pass and run block grades according to Pro Football Focus. This decline might be contributing to the Vikings’ hesitation, compounded by his higher monetary demands. Last season, he signed a deal worth under $1.5 million late into free agency, suggesting that his market value might not align with his expectations.
The Vikings, meanwhile, have been preparing alternatives. They recently extended Blake Brandel’s contract, which includes $3.1 million in guarantees over three years. Brandel is being considered as a potential fit for the left guard slot, despite his limited experience. The team’s confidence in him is evident from the contract and their selection of Michael Jurgens from Wake Forest in the draft, further bolstering their interior line options.
General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seems open to bringing Risner back but not at his current price. The situation leaves Risner with a tough choice: lower his demands or seek opportunities elsewhere. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how this standoff resolves and what it means for the Vikings’ offensive line strategy moving forward.
