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The Minnesota Vikings have inked a deal with former Denver Broncos starting offensive lineman Dalton Risner.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the signing is a potential turning point for the struggling Vikings’ offense.
Risner, who spent the previous four seasons with the Broncos, is set to bring his talents to Minnesota with a deal be worth approximately $4 million for the remainder of this season.
This contract surpasses the current salaries of both of the Vikings’ starting guards.
The Vikings’ offensive line has faced considerable scrutiny this season due to their inability to open running lanes. As of Monday afternoon, their rushing offense ranks last in the NFL, with a mere 69 yards produced over two games.
A dismal statistic is their running backs’ average of just 0.77 yards before initial contact, highlighting the line’s struggles in creating opportunities for ball carriers.
Risner, a durable presence on the offensive line, started 62 games for the Broncos in his career.
The Vikings’ hope is that Risner’s arrival will help shore up their offensive line, providing better protection for their quarterback and improved run-blocking to ignite their struggling ground game.
With the addition of Risner’s, Vikings fans will have a bit more hope their team can turn around from their current 0-2 record.