When the Bengals didn't wait for free agency to make their first big move of the offseason on Monday, it meant Dalton Risner won't have to spend an offseason waiting to find out he's a big part of his team's plans at right guard.

"It's such a relief," said Risner, who popped back into Paycor Stadium Monday morning with wife Whitney to re-up for another year. "And it's a relief because I'm coming back to somewhere I love.

"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 deal comes a week before free agency hits the fan, and no doubt ranks as one of the Bengals' more popular moves of a recent vintage.

After a season he helped save the opener despite showing up days before, Risner won over the locker room and city with his gregarious, generous passion while wooing the coaches with steel-belted play that proved to be the final piece of the best offensive line in quarterback Joe Burrow’s six seasons.

Burrow FaceTimed him as the deal came to be, but the face of the franchise won't be the only one pleased with Risner's return. Most of the offensive line, led by captains Orlando Brown Jr. and Ted Karras, lobbied for the move in front of microphones and in text messages. Coaches, such as offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and the head man himself, Zac Taylor, spoke publicly of his production.

Risner, of course, has been the loudest and most devout. At age 30 and in the last hour of his seventh NFL season, he had found the place that hugged him back on and off the field.

One of Risner's last moves before he went back home to Colorado following last season was a talk with Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin. His last ask of agent Drew Rosenhaus after informed of the deal last week was Tobin's phone number.

"I called Duke told him how much I loved and appreciated him, and I told him I owe him a big hug on Monday, too," Risner said. "I'm elated, and we're going to have a great year, man. I'm going to help the Bengals win, and it's our year.

"I felt like both sides were proactive in getting something done. Both sides had to hold their ground a little bit, but at the end of the day, they wanted a deal done. I wanted a deal done. I was very outspoken about that."

The quickest this thing could have happened was last week in Indianapolis at the NFL scouting combine as the Bengals began to put their offseason plan to work. The first box in the Super Bowl blueprint has been checked.

"They're serious about winning it all, man. Let's freaking go," Risner said.

The busy combine lobby of the Bengals' headquarters featured a glimpse of the Rosenhaus brothers greeting assistant general manager Steven Radicevic, the Bengals' point man in free agency. They were the key players. But, as usual, Risner acknowledged them all.

"This deal wouldn't have been done without guys like Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow pushed for me this whole offseason," Risner said. "He checked in. He wanted me there. (Right tackle) Amarius Mims was outspoken. I had so many people. My offensive line coach. Zac Taylor. I just felt like I had so many people that pulled for me that I don't think this would have gotten done without them."

It's been four years since Risner had a deal before the draft, and Rosenhaus, NFL agentry's self-described "Shark," did what the best agents do and listened to his client.

"Drew listened to everything that I wanted," Risner said. "Sure, we could have tested the market, and maybe we would have got paid more, or maybe we would have gotten a longer or bigger deal. But, at the end of the day, all that stuff didn't matter. I wanted to be here … Drew's a professional. He has great relationships. He does things the right way … I think he's a shark when he needs to be, but if he needs to, he can turn into a pretty little sunfish."

After talking to his guys all offseason, Risner spent Saturday in Pueblo, Colo., speaking to a conference of about 250 men on the subjects that mean so much to him. Faith. Family. A journey beginning in near poverty marked by stunning lows and euphoric highs.

"It's all about community. So, I'm talking about how vulnerability for men is crucial to build community and relationships," Risner said. "So a lot about vulnerability. I'm going to do that by sharing my testimony, by telling them a lot of hard things that have happened in my life and things I've learned from it."

Now he's ready to dole out a few more hugs, starting with Burrow and going through the huddle.

"He cares about the guys around him. He wants to win football games, and I appreciate him so much, and it's going to be my absolute mission to take care of him," Risner said. "Chase Brown. Ja’Marr (Chase). Tee (Higgins). Everybody. I'm so grateful to be back, bro."