Cincinnati Bengals Extension Rumors On DJ Turner, Dax Hill & Chase Brown + Reds EMBARRASSED

The latest word around the Cincinnati Bengals is that neither DJ Turner nor Dax Hill appears likely to receive an extension before the 2026 season begins. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Turner’s deal has “virtually no chance” of getting done before Week 1, while more recent reporting indicates the Bengals may ultimately wait until after the season to make a decision.

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Turner is clearly the bigger priority. The fourth-year cornerback broke out in 2025 and established himself as one of Cincinnati’s most important defensive players. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and because he was a second-round pick, Cincinnati does not have a fifth-year option. Turner has said the two sides are talking, but the negotiations have apparently not progressed enough to produce a deal.

The interesting possibility is the franchise tag. Cincinnati has used that strategy before with players such as Jessie Bates and Tee Higgins.orner role, but he hasn't yet put together enough consistently elite production to make a major long-term commitment obvious. His injury history also makes the Bengals' caution understandable. If Turner has another strong season, however, the price of retaining him could become significantly higher.

Hill is a more complicated case. The Bengals exercised his fifth-year option for 2026, giving them another season to evaluate him. Hill showed encouraging development after moving toward a boundary-corner role, but he hasn't yet put together enough consistently elite production to make a major long-term commitment obvious. His injury history also makes the Bengals' caution understandable.

The big takeaway: Turner looks like the priority, Hill looks like the wait-and-see candidate, and neither appears close to an extension right now. Cincinnati may prefer to let the 2026 season determine which players it is willing to pay rather than locking both up prematurely.

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