Breakout Bengals' CB ready to negotiate his second contract for the future

Cameron Belcher

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Breakout Bengals' CB ready to negotiate his second contract for the future image

The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year after finishing with a 6-11 record, falling to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Heading into the offseason, the Bengals will have to address multiple questions surrounding the team's future.

One of those was answered on Monday, after the team confirmed they will be bringing back head coach Zac Taylor, which was probably the most significant question mark for the Bengals heading into the offseason. They also have to decide what to do with defensive back DJ Turner, but it is for the right reason.

More: Two reasons why Bengals fans should look forward to defense in 2026

DJ Turner is approaching the last year of his rookie contract

Although the team did not have a successful season, the same can't be said for Bengals third-year defensive back, DJ Turner, who had the best statistical season of his career by far.

Turner got his first two interceptions of his young career, with 18 pass deflections on the season, and also forced two fumbles and recovered one of them.

The breakout season couldn't have come at a better time for the former Michigan Wolverine, since he will be entering the final year on his rookie contract, and now has the luxury of beginning negotiations for his second contract, and apparently, the corner is ready to start those as soon as possible.

Fox 19's Joe Danneman reported that Turner will start those talks with his agent on Monday, along with giving him a statement in which Turner expressed to Danneman, "Everything I've got here, I've earned it." 

It could be some time before it's known whether Turner will get an early contract extension. Still, given how he performed this season, the Bengals are not in for an easy decision in an offseason that appears to be one of the most challenging in franchise history.

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