DJ Turner II did not have to be there.
The Cincinnati Bengals cornerback is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could have easily stayed away from voluntary offseason workouts while waiting for a new deal. Around the NFL, established veterans regularly make that decision. Turner chose a different path.
“It’s big. It’s big, for sure,” Turner told reporters when asked about reporting early despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation. “We have a lot of new faces on defense.
It’s big, getting around everybody, and just being around the team.”
For a Bengals’ defense undergoing major changes under coordinator Al Golden, Turner’s presence may have been more important than ever. The former second-round pick is coming off a breakout 2025 season in which he emerged as one of Cincinnati’s most reliable defensive players. Turner led the NFL with 17 passes defended and established himself as one of the Bengals’ few consistent bright spots in the secondary.
Cornerbacks coach Charles Burks has been with the Bengals ever since they drafted Turner in 2022. Burks says it’s night and day for Turner now compared to when he first entered the NFL.
“This entire journey, he has made the biggest turnaround that I’ve ever seen a player make,” Burks told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “Everything. From routine to the way he takes care of his body. He’s revamped all of that. It’s amazing.”
With the Bengals attempting to rebuild a defense that struggled throughout much of last season, Turner has positioned himself as one of the unit’s veteran leaders despite being only 25 years old.
“I’m really impressed with him as a player,” Burks added. “I’m more impressed where he’s at as a man.”
His participation in offseason workouts also comes while contract negotiations continue quietly in the background. Turner has acknowledged he remains confident a deal will eventually get done, but his focus appears to be elsewhere for now.
Part of that mindset may have come from an unusual offseason journey. Turner revealed that he spent nine days in India this spring, describing the trip as an opportunity to “get his mind right.” The trip included meditation work with monks and personal reflection before returning to Cincinnati for OTAs.
The Bengals have added several new pieces to their defense this offseason, including major acquisitions such as Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Bryan Cook. Younger players such as Cashius Howell and Tacario Davis are also expected to compete for significant roles as Cincinnati attempts to overhaul a unit that failed to meet expectations in 2025.
That makes continuity in the secondary especially important. And Turner’s presence at voluntary workouts sends a message not only about his commitment to the team, but also about the culture the Bengals are trying to reestablish defensively heading into 2026.
For a player without long-term financial security, it would have been easy to stay away. Instead, Turner showed up.
