The Minnesota Vikings‘ midseason signing of guard Dalton Risner was a long-awaited move called for by the fans — but his time in Minnesota could have already come and gone.
Former Vikings offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles, who is now an NFL agent, sees Risner’s 2023 performance worthy of a lucrative contract that will likely price out the Vikings when he reaches free agency in March.
“I think he played well enough; he’s going to want a bigger contract,” Sirles said on a January 23 episode of the “Purple Insider” podcast, adding that Minnesota should let Risner walk due to more pressing needs on the roster.
The Vikings signed Risner, 28, to a one-year, $3 million deal three weeks into the season after previously letting him walk after a visit during training camp in early August.
A coveted pass-protector, Risner did not allow a sack on 485 pass-blocking snaps in 12 games played. Pro Football Focus (PFF) predicted Risner to garner a three-year, $24 million deal with $15 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $8 million a season.
Risner’s signing was an all-in move before Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury and contributed to the second-best composite pass-blocking grade in the NFL.
