Overview
- ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler said Wednesday there is “virtually no chance” the Bengals and DJ Turner II will complete a long-term extension before Week 1, and multiple outlets expect Turner to play out his rookie deal.
- Turner broke out in 2025 with 16 starts, 18 passes defended, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, and Next Gen Stats credited him with a 27.7% hawk rate and a top pass-breakup total.
- Turner has publicly said he wants to remain in Cincinnati but will let his agent handle contract talks and will keep his focus on playing regardless of his deal status.
- Cincinnati’s big commitments to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins plus upcoming decisions on Dax Hill and Chase Brown help explain why the team may delay a long-term deal and consider the one-year franchise tag instead.
- If Turner posts another strong season his market will rise and so will the tag number — top-10 corner deals currently average about $24.7 million per year and recent deals pushed the top rate near $31 million — and the Bengals must weigh that cost against roster flexibility, a choice the team has made with mixed results in the past.