The Cincinnati Bengals may have missed the playoffs for a third straight year, but there's still reason for optimism in the Queen City - especially if you're Chase Brown, DJ Turner, Andrei Iosivas, or Jordan Battle. These four young Bengals just earned themselves well-deserved pay bumps, thanks to the NFL's Proven Performance Escalator (PPE) system - a bonus structure that rewards late-round picks who outperform their draft status.
Let’s start with Brown and Turner, two players who didn’t just meet expectations - they blew right past them. Brown, the second-year running back, turned into a dynamic dual threat in 2026, racking up over 1,000 yards on the ground and adding another 400-plus through the air.
He wasn’t just a change-of-pace guy or a rotational back - he was a focal point. Whether it was inside zone or catching swing passes out of the backfield, Brown showed he can be a complete back in today’s NFL.
On the other side of the ball, DJ Turner quietly became one of the more reliable cover corners in the league. Among cornerbacks who played at least half of their team’s defensive snaps, Turner graded out as the sixth-best in coverage.
That’s not just solid - that’s elite territory. He’s sticky in man, smart in zone, and rarely gets caught out of position.
For a team that’s faced its share of ups and downs in the secondary, Turner’s emergence is a massive win.
Both Brown and Turner will receive a $3.6 million raise heading into their contract years - a significant bump for players still on rookie deals. And they’ve earned every penny.
Then there’s Jordan Battle and Andrei Iosivas, two more late-round gems who are also cashing in. Both players qualified for the Level-One PPE, which kicks in for third- through seventh-round picks who play at least 35% of their team’s snaps over their first three seasons.
Battle was a rock at safety in 2025, starting every game and bringing a physical, downhill presence to the back end of the defense. He’s the kind of player who sets a tone - not flashy, but dependable and tough.
Iosivas, meanwhile, carved out a meaningful role in the Bengals’ offense, logging snaps on roughly 70% of plays. That’s a big jump for a young wideout still developing as a route runner and adjusting to NFL speed. But his size, athleticism, and work ethic have clearly made an impression - not just on the coaching staff, but on the field where it matters most.
All four players are entering the final years of their rookie contracts, and none are eligible for a fifth-year option. That puts the Bengals in an interesting spot.
These aren’t just rotational guys anymore - they’re key contributors. And if they keep trending upward, Cincinnati will have some tough decisions to make when it comes to extensions and the salary cap.
For now, though, it’s a well-earned moment of recognition for four players who’ve done more than just fill roles - they’ve helped shape the Bengals’ future. And if that future includes a return to playoff football, these are the kinds of players who’ll be leading the charge.