An Cincinnati Bengals' star’s wife beat league insiders to a major announcement about her husband, celebrating her scoop and joking she felt like ESPN's Adam Schefter
19:42 ET, 02 Mar 2026Updated 19:42 ET, 02 Mar 2026
Risner was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft
View 2 Images
Risner was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft(Image: Getty)
Many NFL insiders pride themselves on breaking news, but on Monday, they were beaten to the punch by a player’s wife.
Before ESPN’s Adam Schefter and other league reporters confirmed that Dalton Risner was re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, Whitney Risner had already gone public.
Article continues below
“I’m not really supposed to tell anybody this, but I’ve got some inside information and I just feel like you guys can keep a secret. Per sources, Dalton Risner is signing back to the Cincinnati Bengals, and sources are me, baby,” she said in a video posted to social media. The clip was captioned, “I’m feeling like Adam Schefter right now.” Meanwhile, Joe Burrow weighed in on NFL controversy from the Bills-Broncos playoff game.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Chiefs star released in $20M decision with big implications for Patrick MahomesREAD MORE: Tom Brady's groundbreaking sporting event thrown into chaos by Iran War
Schefter later confirmed the one-year deal, reporting it is worth up to $5 million.
For Risner, 30, the return to Cincinnati carried more meaning than just the contract value. “It’s a relief because I’m coming back to somewhere I love,” he said Monday at Paycor Stadium. “With coaches and players that I love and respect, a staff that I respect, the team I want to play for, a team that respects me and values me and believes in me, and that’s all you can ask for.”
The past two offseasons had been uncertain for the veteran guard. After starting his career with the Denver Broncos and spending two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Risner found himself unsigned deep into the 2025 offseason before Cincinnati called.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
“It was a very hard season of our life,” Whitney said. “And when we look back, we were sitting there for months waiting on a phone call that just never came. I don’t think our marriage would be where it is today without all of these really tough times that we’ve had to get through together.”
When the Bengals signed him late last August, Risner had barely learned the playbook before being thrust into action in Week 1. Reflecting on that stretch, he said, “I can’t tell you guys how many times I woke up at 6 a.m. and went and did the same routine monotonous workout in my home gym and did that for an hour and a half. Grabbed the same pair of cleats, walked down in my little community, and I get to this little piece of grass and I ask myself the question of, ‘why am I doing this?’”
He added, “Every year I find a way to start, and every year I can’t get a team to take a shot.”
Dalton Risner and Whitney Clampitt got married in 2022
View 2 Images
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 09: Dalton Risner and Whitney Clampitt attend the 12th Annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall on February 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)(Image: Getty)
Risner eventually reclaimed a starting role late in the season and became the only returning starter from last year’s offensive line not already under contract entering the offseason. He said he never seriously considered testing free agency.
Article continues below
“I didn’t care to hit free agency to see if someone would sign me to a two- or three-year deal, or give me more cash per year,” Risner said. “I wanted to be a Cincinnati Bengal. ... The Bengals did a lot of compromising; I did a lot of compromising.”
He also spoke about finally feeling appreciated. “I truly feel like I’ve never been seen or valued like I have here,” Risner said. “I think that that started in the offensive line room.”
As for Whitney’s brief moment as an insider, Risner embraced it. “I thought that was pretty exciting,” he said. “As you get later in your career, I feel like you try to have some fun with this, because you never know when it’s going to be the last year.”