Bengals' key free agent makes it clear he wants to return

Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner won over fans this year by helping form the best offensive line of the Joe Burrow era yet. 

As such, fans probably don’t want to see the team turn around and let Risner get away in free agency this upcoming offseason. 

Risner? He doesn’t want that to happen either.

“I’ve really found a home here,” Risner said, according to Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19. “I’ve really enjoyed this season. I think it’ll be a good March for me (when free agency begins). Personally, I’d love if the #Bengals didn’t let me get to March.”

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It wasn’t all perfect for Risner, who joined the team just before the season and popped in and out of the lineup for rookie Jalen Rivers. But he’s been a steady presence for the latter half of the season, playing a role in the steady upswing for Amarius Mims and the overall solid state of things. 

For those who put stock into such things, Risner even tallies a 69.3 PFF grade, good for 23rd out of 80 ranked guards this year. 

The Bengals got some nice developmental reps from Rivers earlier this year and Dylan Fairchild, the rookie at the other guard spot, clearly has a long future ahead of him as a starter. 

But Risner, despite being 30, should chart pretty highly on Cincinnati’s offseason to-do list.

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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals' key free agent makes it clear he wants to return