It was no secret that the Bengals’ 2025 campaign was one of the most disappointing ones in recent memory, and the offseason is crucial if the franchise hopes to get back to winning ways.
The Bengals had one of the worst defensive units (statistically) in the Super Bowl era and cost the team multiple losses, including a historically poor performance against an 0-7 New York Jets team in Cincinnati.
Although it was a challenging season to get through, one name shone on this poorly constructed defensive unit, and that name is DJ Turner.
Pro Football Focus writer Zach Tantillo even tabbed Turner as the Cincinnati Bengals ‘secret superstar’ after the 2025 season.
“On a Bengals defense that struggled throughout 2025, Turner stood out as the unit’s most consistent performer,” Tantillo wrote. “His 73.3 PFF overall grade was the highest on the defense, and his 78.1 PFF coverage grade ranked fifth among all cornerbacks with at least 275 coverage snaps. Turner also limited opposing quarterbacks to a 46.8% completion rate in his coverage, the fifth-lowest clip among NFL cornerbacks.”
Turner is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and it would be wise for the Bengals front office to get his extension out of the way before his price tag goes up next offseason!
It will be fun to see Turner back in action to build on his (what should have been) Pro Bowl season.
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