Zac Taylor’s Reaction to DJ Turner Decision Says a Lot

The Cincinnati Bengals have spent this entire offseason fortifying a defense that finished among the worst in the NFL last season. Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook lead a list of new additions designed to transform a unit that too often let down one of the league’s most explosive offenses.

But while the new faces have garnered major buzz, one of the franchise’s most consequential decisions this summer involves a player already in the building and whether he stays there beyond 2026.

DJ Turner II is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and locking him up is now one of the most pressing items on Duke Tobin’s desk.

Turner played like one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season. Nearly a third of the passes targeted his way were either broken up or intercepted and fewer than half were even completed. He finished with two interceptions and 18 passes defensed and earned a 78.3 PFF coverage grade that ranked him 22nd among all NFL cornerbacks. He was one of the lone effective components on a defense that collectively couldn’t stop a cold. 

The 25-year-old delivered that performance while making $3.674 million. For a player coming off a breakout season, he is expected to command a higher salary on his next contract. 

While his future in Cincinnati continues to be the central topic, Turner recently made headlines at OTAs. The Michigan alumnus took the practice field wearing No. 0, different from the No. 20 jersey he has worn all through his NFL career, becoming the first Bengals player in history to wear the number.

Turner was asked about the decision on Monday, and referenced a similar situation involving former Bengals safety Jessie Bates. 

“Jessie walked so I could run,” he said.

Bates wanted a single-digit number as a safety after the NFL opened it up to non-skill positions. He requested to wear No. 3 before his departure in 2023, only to be denied by head coach Zac Taylor. 

Taylor addressed Turner’s comments after practice, and revealed why he gave the nod to his cornerback.

“I think he has earned it,” said Taylor. “I wouldn’t have done this for just anybody. I was open to the possibility because I think DJ represents a lot of the things we take great pride in.”

He also confirmed that he did apologize to Bates afterward. 

“I did apologize to Jessie Bates because Jessie had always wanted #3 and I would always hold off. DJ’s quote to me was ‘Jessie walked so I could run.’ I wasn’t ready to crack with Jessie, but over time (DJ) wore me down.”

While Taylor’s vote of confidence is notable, the contract side of things remains unresolved and the Bengals front office will hope it can get a deal done quickly.

Spotrac currently projects a three-year, $41.9 million extension for Turner, well below the $31 million per year Los Angeles Rams’ Trent McDuffie is earning as the position’s market leader. But if Turner has an even better year on a championship contender, it could drive his market value higher in 2027 and complicate things for the Bengals. 

The organization has spent the offseason proving they’re serious about winning. Letting their best cornerback play out his deal and test the market would undermine every statement they’ve made since March.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​