Jon Gruden bumped into Dalton Risner at a Tampa Bay airport. The two hopped on a video stream to plug Risner’s free agency.
Jon Gruden is a big fan of former Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner, using social media on Wednesday to promote his free agency.
Gruden is evidently pals with Risner, urging NFL coaches and general managers to take the plunge on Risner’s stalled free agency.
You can watch the video here.
Jon Gruden Tells the World to Sign Dalton Risner
In proper Gruden form — bombastic, fiery and excited — the ex-NFL skipper turned Barstooler told the masses to get with the program by signing Risner, who lives on the free-agent market.
“Here I am at the Tampa Airport with Dalton Risner. Former Denver Bronco. Former Minnesota Viking. Former Senior Bowl member. Hey, Risner’s a free agent. Any of you coaches or GMs, he’s out there. Sign the guy. He’s a hard-nosed guard. He can play both sides, and I bet he can play center. Sign him,” Gruden declared.
Risner seemed to enjoy the video, adding, “This is my guy right here. This is one of the favorite coaches I’ve had. Made my Senior Bowl experience most memorable. We’ll see where we are this year. I’m not sure where it’s going to be. I can play center. I can do it all. I can snap. I’ll play tackle, guard, you name it.”
It sounds like Risner is willing to play any position on his new team’s offensive line.
The Same Old Song and Dance for Dalton Risner’s Free Agency
Jon Gruden is endorsing Dalton Risner’s free agency, a process that usually takes months for the Kansas State alumnus.
Risner Up to Risner Free Agency Tricks
This always happens to Risner. Despite a decent NFL career, no team signs him until the last moment. It’s an annual tradition.
The Broncos cut Risner loose after the 2022 campaign, and in back-to-back offseasons, the Vikings signed him well after the first few waves of standard free agency. And just like those circumstances, the veteran guard is once again campaigning for a club in the summer.
If Minnesota didn’t have its offensive line all squared away, fans would be right there calling for his free-agent addition.
PFF Resume for Risner
If you’re not familiar with Risner, 29, he’s a wonderful pass protector, with suspect-to-mediocre run blocking.
Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume since turning pro in 2019:
- 2024: 68.1
- 2023: 57.1
- 2022: 61.1
- 2021: 68.5
- 2020: 61.3
- 2019: 64.4
Good, not great. The man is also fairly lovable, at least from a fan’s perspective.
The Vikings’ OG Plan without Him
For the first time in years — it feels like eons — the Vikings don’t need Risner this summer or autumn. The club used free agency in March to sign Will Fries, a guard from the Indianapolis Colts (along with his teammate, center Ryan Kelly), to a five-year, $88 million deal.
Then, six weeks later, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stepped up to the plate and drafted guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1 from Ohio State. The offensive line is now in wondrous shape for the 2025 Vikings, and they simply don’t need Risner.
Risner to the Buccaneers?
Clutch Points urged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — ironically, Gruden’s former employer — this week to sign Risner.
CP’s Enzo Flojo opined, “This is where Dalton Risner comes in. Still unsigned as of late June, Risner remains one of the better pass-blocking guards available. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just one quarterback hit and zero sacks across 345 pass-blocking snaps in 2024.”
“That level of reliability in the trenches is exactly what Tampa needs to safeguard its investment in Mayfield. Risner brings experience, toughness, and football IQ. He spent four solid years with the Denver Broncos before joining the Minnesota Vikings. Though injuries limited him to just eight starts last season, when healthy, Risner has consistently proven to be a steady presence. Signing Risner wouldn’t just be about upgrading Bredeson.”
Whether by the Buccaneers or a different team, Risner will likely be wiped off the free-agent board before too long. Some team will need a depth interior offensive lineman.
Flojo continued, “It would be about fortifying a unit that needs more depth. Tampa’s offensive line has dealt with injuries in recent years. The drop-off between starters and backups has been costly. At 30, Risner wouldn’t need to start immediately. However, he would raise the floor of the position group and provide insurance if injuries or inconsistency strike again.”
“With another straight playoff appearance on the table and Super Bowl ambitions slowly resurfacing, this is not the time to rely on ‘maybe’ at a premium position. Tampa doesn’t need a splash. They need a smart, strategic addition. Risner checks every box: proven, still available, and fits a need.”
Risner will turn 30 in three weeks.
You can read about his possible landing spots here.
