Bengals' rising star DJ Turner II told Zac Taylor exactly what he was going to do and he did it expeditiously

The number of cornerbacks playing better than DJ Turner II right now is a very small number.

Now in his third year with the Cincinnati Bengals, Turner is posting Pro Bowl-caliber ball production at the position with an NFL-best 13 passes defensed and two interceptions through seven games.

And none of it would've happened if he was stuck on the bench.

Turner competed for a starting gig during the offseason and training camp. When he learned from head coach Zac Taylor he would not start Week 1, he had a simple message to Taylor according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.

“Bet," Turner said. "I’m going to get it back."

Get it back he did. Almost instantly.

DJ Turner II backs up his words with strong start to 2025 season

Even in the season-opener in which Turner did not start, he made an impact. His fourth quarter interception of Joe Flacco helped secure a 17-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns. It ultimately helped get him on the field for 26 more snaps the next week, including the very first one of the game.

Turner has become a mainstay in the secondary in the six weeks since, and his last three games have been dominant in particular. He was only targeted once against the Detroit Lions in Week 5 and didn't allow a reception. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, he recorded five pass breakups to take his now league-leading position. He then turned everyone's heads in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers with his see-it-to-believe-it INT.