Bengals Sign G Dalton Risner
AUGUST 28: The deal is now official. When speaking to the media on Thursday, head coach Zac Taylor declined to say which guard spot Risner will spend time at. As ESPN’s Ben Baby notes, though, there is optimism he will be available to Cincinnati in time for Week 1.
AUGUST 27: Dalton Risner has secured another opportunity late in free agency. Making a habit of signing well after the market opens, the veteran guard is joining the Bengals, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets.
The former Broncos and Vikings guard had visited the Bengals recently. He will look to fill a void as a starter on an O-line that has four other locked-in first-stringers.
Both the Seahawks and Steelers showed interest in Risner, whose market once again did not form after he spent a season as a primary starter. Underperforming in free agency has perhaps defined Risner’s career, but the former second-round pick has continued to bounce back from those disappointments to extend his run as an NFL starter. The Bengals are adding a guard with 81 starts on his resume.
Back in April, the Bengals were on the Risner radar. They will add him after an underwhelming guard audition. Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick joined Cordell Volson in competing for the team’s right guard job. Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild is set to take over at left guard, and the Bengals have yet another veteran option for the other spot. Ford joined Risner in the 2019 second round, while Patrick arrived as a 2017 UDFA.
Risner started 19 games for the Vikings over the past two seasons. He waited until September 2023 to sign with Minnesota but re-signed in June 2024. Pro Football Focus graded Risner as the No. 22 overall guard last season. Risner replaced Ed Ingram in the Vikes’ starting lineup midway through last season. The team dropped Ingram via trade (to the Texans) this offseason and once again let Risner linger in free agency. The Vikes overhauled their interior O-line — via the signings of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries and first-round investment in Donovan Jackson — and Risner will spend his age-30 season in Cincinnati.
The Bengals retained Patrick and Ford on their active roster but waived Volson — a three-year starter who was benched late last season — with an injury designation. Volson reverted to IR today. Risner has experience replacing starters in-season, having done so in 2023 (after the Ezra Cleveland trade) and 2024. The Bengals may need him earlier, however.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.
Baltimore Ravens
Signed to practice squad:
- T Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, DB Thomas Graham, OLB Malik Hamm, QB Tyler Huntley, DB Keondre Jackson, RB D’Ernest Johnson, WR Keith Kirkwood, ILB Chandler Martin, WR Anthony Miller, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT C.J. Okoye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, DE Kaimon Rucker, C Nick Samac, RB Lucas Scott, DL Brent Urban
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Gary Brightwell, T Devin Cochran, T Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, G Jaxson Kirkland, CB Bralyn Lux, C Seth McLaughlin, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, DE Isaiah Thomas, WR Isaiah Williams, S Russ Yeast
Reverted to IR:
-
T Caleb Etienne, TE Tanner McLachlan, G Cordell Volson
Cleveland Browns
Claimed:
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (from Jets), RB Raheim Sanders (from Chargers)
Waived:
- TE Brenden Bates, CB Dom Jones
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Sal Cannella, WR Kaden Davis, S Christopher Edmonds, DT Ralph Holley, CB LaMareon James, DT Sam Kamara, RB Ahmani Marshall, DE Julian Okwara, RB Trayveon Williams, QB Bailey Zappe
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Kyler Baugh, CB Beanie Bishop, DB Sebastian Castro, OL Dylan Cook, TE JJ Galbreath, WR Max Hurleman, DB D’Shawn Jamison, OL Steven Jones, DL DeMarvin Leal, RB Lew Nichols, CB James Pierre, DB Daryl Porter, RB Trey Sermon, LB Julius Welschof, WR Ke’Shawn Williams, WR Robert Woods
2025 NFL Waiver Order
Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.
It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:
- Titans
- Browns
- Giants
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Raiders
- Jets
- Panthers
- Saints
- Bears
- 49ers
- Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Colts
- Falcons
- Cardinals
- Bengals
- Seahawks
- Buccaneers
- Broncos
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Packers
- Vikings
- Texans
- Rams
- Ravens
- Lions
- Commanders
- Bills
- Chiefs
- Eagles
Bengals Trim Roster To 53 Players
The Bengals have finalized their 53-man roster with the following 27 roster moves, per a team announcement:
Placed on IR (designated for return)
Placed on reserve/PUP:
- TE Erick All
Released:
- RB Gary Brightwell
- CB Jalen Davis
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
Waived:
- LS Cal Domitis
- OT Devin Cochran
- OT Andre Coker
- DE Raymond Johnson
- S Jaylen Key
- G Jaxson Kirkland
- CB Bralyn Lux
- WR Jamoi Mayes
- C Seth McLaughlin
- RB Kendall Milton
- WR Jordan Moore
- LB Maema Njongmeta
- WR Kendric Pryor
- QB Desmond Ridder
- DE Isaiah Thomas
- WR Isaiah Williams
Waived/injured:
- OT Caleb Etienne
- TE Tanner McLachlan
- G Cordell Volson
Anthony (hamstring) and Johnson (calf) are a pair of 2024 Day 3 picks who will be sidelined for at least four games after picking up injuries in training camp. Anthony is not expected to miss much time, per Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Complications from a college knee surgery are expected to sidelined All for the entire season, but keeping him on the PUP list keeps the Bengals’ options open. Even getting All back on the practice field late in the season could go a long way towards a 2026 comeback.
Adomitis was the Bengals’ long snapper for the last three years, but undrafted rookie Will Wagner beat him out for the starting job in training camp, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
If Ridder ever had a legitimate chance at beating out Jake Browning for Cincinnati’s backup quarterback job, he was unable to capitalize on it. With 18 starts under his belt in the last three years – albeit with uninspiring production – Ridder could draw interest on waivers for a team looking to upgrade their quarterback depth.
Volson is expected to be out for the year after undergoing shoulder surgery. He will revert to the Bengals’ season-ending injured reserve if he is not claimed on waivers. The Bengals may pursue an injury settlement to save cap space with almost $2.5MM of non-guaranteed money on Volson’s contract, per OverTheCap.
Bengals, DE Trey Hendrickson Revise Deal
The monthslong (perhaps yearslong) Trey Hendrickson contract saga in Cincinnati has reached a conclusion — for 2025, at least. With less than two weeks remaining before the Bengals’ opener, a deal is in place.
Hendrickson and the Bengals are in agreement on a revised contract, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. After Rapoport and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicated the sides were close, it appears this endless chapter is complete. The sides agreed on what will be a $14MM 2025 raise, Pelissero reports, adding the ninth-year veteran will make $30MM this year.
While this is a short-term win for Hendrickson, the Bengals’ preference for a one-year guarantee — reminding of a previous Hendrickson re-up — appears to have won out. This is certainly good news for the Bengals, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Hendrickson is expected to play in Week 1.
Earlier today, a report surfaced indicating the Bengals and Hendrickson had resumed talks. The Bengals had long been willing to give Hendrickson a high AAV on a short-term agreement, but the 30-year-old pass rusher had understandably sought a guarantee package that provides better long-term security. But that has not happened. And Hendrickson remains on track for free agency in 2026.
Hendrickson was already tied to a $15.8MM 2025 base salary this year. That had been in place as part of a one-year extension agreed to in 2023. Hendrickson said he agreed to that extension in fear of being franchise-tagged in 2025. With the Bengals’ Tee Higgins matter taking two offseasons to resolve, no tag was available. And Hendrickson, despite seeing T.J. Watt land a $108MM full guarantee on a three-year deal, appears to be prepared to hit free agency in 2026. Even as the Bengals observed the Steelers break their guarantee structure for Watt, the Bengals did not budge on a key organizational philosophy with Hendrickson.
The Bengals have bent on their steadfast refusal to include post-Year 1 salary guarantees in deals, but it has taken a young Hall of Fame-type talent to convince them to do so. Joe Burrow naturally received post-Year 1 guarantees upon being extended in 2023, and Ja’Marr Chase‘s triple-crown season prompted the Bengals to break their policy this offseason. Higgins, however, did not. With the Bengals not bending for a younger talent like Higgins, the team did not appear ready to give Hendrickson that type of agreement. Hendrickson’s importance to Cincinnati’s defense — one that took a significant step back last year — did not end up leading to an extension for the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, and this could be the parties’ final season together.
Hendrickson did receive an extension offer — three years, $95MM — according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, but he turned it down due to no guaranteed money being present beyond Year 1. Hendrickson turned down what may have been a comparable offer several weeks ago.
This familiar Bengals issue is now a key part of the decorated edge rusher’s career. Rather than take his chances with a nonguaranteed structure down the line, Hendrickson will see if he can reach free agency after another strong season. This top-up does not match where the Texans went with Danielle Hunter (one year, $35.6MM), which certainly points to this saga either concluding with a 2026 free agency exit or potentially taking another turn.
Cincy could cuff Hendrickson via a 2026 franchise tag. Teams usually reserve the tag for players who play out their rookie deals, as the Bengals did with Higgins and Jessie Bates recently, but this franchise also cuffed a veteran performer not too long ago. The Bengals tagged A.J. Green in 2020. If they were to go to this well with Hendrickson, however, this raise will hike that price beyond $35MM. As could be expected, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz adds a no-tag clause is not present in this rework.
Over the past two seasons, Hendrickson leads the NFL with 35 sacks — 4.5 more than anyone else. This naturally brought Hendrickson back to the table, after the Bengals did not redo his deal in 2024. The team let Hendrickson seek a trade, and while better guarantee structures were undoubtedly available elsewhere, Cincy held a high asking price that prevented a deal. The Bengals wanted at least a first-round pick before the draft, and their recent ask — even after a reported reduction –was believed to be too high for teams as well.
The second leg of trade rumors came after a report indicating contract talks had stalled. We heard earlier this summer Cincy had not offered a $35MM-per-year deal, but an August report indicated the proposal was “closer to the top of the market.” At 3/95, Hendrickson would have been the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid EDGE by AAV. While there are more notable barometers to measure contract value, the Bengals’ guarantee caution would not have made that a player-friendly pact.
Even as the Bengals struggled defensively, leaving a Burrow MVP-caliber season short of the playoffs, Hendrickson could not turn a holdout or a hold-in into a multiyear guarantee. With Hendrickson agreeing to terms rather than missing out on near-$1MM game checks, the matter is resolved for now.
This will remain an interesting story to follow, as Hendrickson free agency- and/or tag-related rumors figure to follow this agreement soon. But the Bengals, after their lengthy Shemar Stewart impasse over default language ended, will have both their top DEs available to start the season.
Bengals Release DT Taven Bryan, Waive 11
The Bengals are now among the teams to announce some early cuts. With rosters required to be at 53 in less than 24 hours, Cincinnati parted ways with 12 players early:
Released:
- DT Taven Bryan
Waived:
- DT McTelvin Agim
- CB Nate Brooks
- WR Cole Burgess
- RB Quali Conley
- S Shaquan Loyal
- WR Rashod Owens
- C Andrew Raym
- CB Lance Robinson
- G Andrew Stueber
- QB Payton Thorne
- LB Craig Young
A former first-round Jaguars pick, Bryan has settled into a rotational role after not panning out like Jacksonville hoped. Bryan still started 13 combined games for the Colts over the past two seasons, stopping through Indianapolis after a 2022 season as a Cleveland starter. For his career, the Florida alum has started 46 games. His $1.42MM Bengals contract did not contain any guaranteed money. Cincy has 2024 Day 2 draftees Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson as backups to B.J. Hill and offseason addition T.J. Slaton.
A 2022 Patriots seventh-round pick, Stueber played in seven Bengals games lats season. Brooks, a UFL performer attempting to resume a stalled NFL career, went to back-to-back Bengals camps but has not seen game action since 2020. The Bengals still have a ways to go on their 90-to-53 journey, which must be done by 3pm CT Tuesday.
Bengals Resume Extension Talks With DE Trey Hendrickson
One of the NFL’s top remaining contract sagas came to an end earlier today with Terry McLaurin and the Commanders reaching an extension agreement. No such deal is imminent in Trey Hendrickson‘s case, but efforts to work one out are again underway. 
Negotiations between the Bengals and Hendrickson’s camp have resumed, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. As of last weekend, a continued lack of traction in extension talks led to a new round of trade calls coming in. A swap would come as a surprise this late in the offseason, of course, so attention is still aimed at the ability of both parties to reach at least a short-term compromise.
With guarantees beyond Year 1 of any long-term extension remaining a sticking point from Cincinnati’s perspective, a “unique” arrangement could be in store. Per Schultz, discussions have taken place about a raise covering 2025 which would still allow for Hendrickson to reach free agency next spring. As things stand, the reigning sack leader is owed $16MM on the final year of his pact.
In 2023, Hendrickson agreed to a bump in pay which came about with one new year being added to his pact. That arrangement has been followed by multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure a long-term accord, however, and last offseason the Bengals rejected efforts to seek out a trade. That stance shifted in 2025, with conflicting reports emerging last week about whether or not the team’s trade price has been lowered recently. The Patriots have been named as a team to watch on that front, although New England is not believed to be actively pursuing a deal.
The length and total value of a new pact has long been agreed to between Hendrickson and the Bengals. Cincinnati appears willing to move near the top of the EDGE market in terms of AAV to keep the 30-year-old in the fold. Locked-in compensation has been the source of a lengthy stalemate, with the team not looking to break with organizational precedent (as it did with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase) by guaranteeing money past the first year.
With that stance in mind, a top-up for 2025 which does not include any new term could be feasible. Coming off his fourth straight Pro Bowl campaign – and first as an All-Pro performer – Hendrickson could set himself up for a considerable payday on the open market next spring with another productive season. A short-term agreement would also likely be sufficient to end his hold-in and ensure the threat of missed regular season games does not come to pass.
Bengals G Cordell Volson Out For Season
The Bengals had Cordell Volson battling for a roster spot, but the contract-year guard has bigger concerns now. Volson is set to miss the season, Zac Taylor said (via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby).
A shoulder injury that will require surgery will move Volson out of the picture for the 2025 Bengals. The team added Dylan Fairchild in Round 3 and will plug him in as a starting guard, with Cody Ford in the lead for the other gig. Cincy, though, is still in on Dalton Risner in free agency.
Although Volson entered camp on the Bengals’ roster bubble, Baby notes he had shown improvement during preseason workouts. The Bengals having Ford and free agency addition Lucas Patrick at guard but also considering Risner points to dissatisfaction with where the team’s right guard competition stands. Risner is also on the Seahawks and Steelers’ radars.
A 48-game starter with the Bengals, Volson had been demoted late last season. After that depth chart drop, the North Dakota State alum observed the Patrick and Fairchild moves. While a place on the Bengals’ roster bubble awaited, Volson would have at least represented experienced depth on a rookie contract — on a pay cut at that.
This will mark a tough end to Volson’s rookie contract. The former fourth-rounder’s momentum stalling to this degree would point to a one-year free agency deal in 2026. As for the Bengals, they have Ford and Patrick as options at RG. Risner also has experience as a late arrival-turned-starter. The former Broncos second-rounder, who has become known for dissatisfying free agency journeys, caught on in September 2023 with the Vikings and moved into the team’s starting lineup weeks later. That ascent could be notable for the Bengals, who still have one question to answer along their O-line.
Patriots Believe Trey Hendrickson Cost Is “Too Much”
With no end in sight to the ongoing Trey Hendrickson saga, there were reports that the Patriots were sniffing around at a potential trade. While New England was understandably doing its due diligence, it doesn’t sound like they’re close to acquiring the star pass rusher.
[RELATED: Patriots Open To Trade Acquisition]
According to Josina Anderson, the Patriots feel the cost to acquire Hendrickson is currently “too much.” Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds that New England doesn’t appear close to acquiring the 2024 sacks leader.
There were rumblings yesterday that the Patriots had reached out to the Bengals about a potential Hendrickson trade. That report followed remarks from New England’s de facto general manager Eliot Wolf that the organization would be willing to part with a first- or second-round pick to facilitate a trade for a star player. Wolf obviously didn’t mention any names, but the timing of both reports did raise some eyebrows.
If the Patriots are indeed willing to part with a first-round pick for a hypothetical “star player,” it stands to reason that the Bengals may be asking for even more draft compensation in return for Hendrickson. An acquiring team would presumably be willing to pay the edge rusher what he’s seeking, so a trade would likely end this ongoing storyline. Instead, the Hendrickson watch continues, with the player most recently acknowledging that guarantees remain the sticking point in negotiations with the Bengals (per ESPN’s Ben Baby).
While any team would surely welcome a player of Hendrickson’s talent, the Patriots are a particularly logical landing spot after the team ranked last in sacks in 2024. The Patriots only compiled 28 total sacks, trailing the 31st-ranked Falcons by three. For comparison’s sake, Hendrickson has collected 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
To the front office’s credit, the organization did bring in some pass-rush help this offseason. Free agent additions Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson should provide some help on the edge, while Milton Williams has shown an elite ability to get to the QB in the middle of the defensive line. With Keion White showing promise as a sophomore, New England’s pass rush should look a whole lot better in 2025. Of course, adding Hendrickson to the grouping would transform the Patriots’ pass-rush unit to one of the best in the NFL.
Based on how the Bengals have operated throughout this entire saga, it’s not a surprise they’re not feeling any urgency to figure out a solution. If Cincy does eventually decide to move on, the Patriots would remain a logical landing spot.
Bengals, Seahawks To Host Veteran G Dalton Risner; Steelers Also An Option
TODAY, 5:45pm: Risner had a strong workout for the Bengals but didn’t land a contract, according to Schultz. However, the two sides are expected to “stay in touch,” so perhaps the veteran could be a target for the organization down the road.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Risner is set to meet with the Seahawks. The Steelers are also an option for the veteran offensive lineman. Per Fowler, the player is determined to take all of these visits before settling on a final decision.
MONDAY, 9:30pm: Veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner is set to visit the Bengals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Risner named the Bengals as one of his potential landing spots back in April. Months later, he will go to Cincinnati with the hopes of signing with his third NFL team. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and started 19 games amid their offensive line injuries.
Risner has been a starter for his entire six-year career, but he has struggled to garner commensurate interest as a free agent. He first hit the open market in 2023 as a four-year starter for the Broncos, but he didn’t sign in Minnesota until September. The Vikings re-signed him in May last offseason, but Risner has once again remained available deep into the preseason this year.
In Cincinnati, Risner can compete for a starting job at either guard spot. The Bengals’ current first-team guards, Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild, were both acquired this offseason and have an early edge on 2024 holdovers Cordell Volson and Cody Ford. Patrick, an eight-year veteran, started 26 games for the Saints over the last two years, while Fairchild’s exploits as the University of Georgia’s left guard made him a third-round pick in April’s draft.
A poor showing from the Bengals’ offensive line on Monday night may give Risner some more leverage when negotiating a potential deal. Cincinnati has been looking to add interior OL depth, per Schultz, and Risner’s strong pedigree as a pass protector may be especially appealing in front of Joe Burrow.