CINCINNATI — DJ Turner could still be training in Houston right now. Shoot, he could still be soaking in the Taj Mahal as he did during his nine-day, introspective trip through India this spring.At the very least, he could be watching the Bengals practice in a hat during the largely forgettable malaise of the offseason program.Turner’s camp is currently negotiating with the Bengals over an extension after the 25-year-old posted one of the best coverage seasons in the NFL last year. Nobody would blame him, nobody would bat an eye.The same goes for cornerback Dax Hill, edge Myles Murphy and running back Chase Brown. All enter the final year of their rookie deals and would be deemed worthy of extensions and in consideration for a long-term commitment.Business-decision season is upon us and the Bengals’ most investible pieces have made their decisions.The potential to win looks too valuable to pass up.“It’s definitely a good vibe right now,” said Turner, who arrived for the start of OTAs last week after skipping the previous voluntary phase. “We did add a whole bunch of players on our side of the ball and it’s just exciting, honestly. Everybody wants to win. I was the last one here. This was my second day and I could tell everybody was just on the same page, wanting to work, wanting to win. That’s what it all comes down to — those two things.”Those two things are a dramatic departure from years’ past. Just last year at this time, Trey Hendrickson was showing up at OTAs in his golf gear holding court with local reporters and bashing the organization just yards away from his teammates.First-round pick Shemar Stewart was sitting in front of his locker and contended the Bengals care more about winning negotiations than games.The offseason before that, Ja’Marr Chase watched minicamp and most of training camp in a hat while fighting for a new contract. Tee Higgins was fresh off a trade request summer, answering business questions and the looming thought of business decisions should injury occur in season. Come that December, Joe Burrow would be lobbing pressure at the organization after games to re-sign his receivers.Distractions can often be overblown as the NFL news cycle searches for fuel in the empty summer months. Sometimes, however, distractions are an iceberg tipping off truth below the surface.Time reveals the reality.In this case, Turner’s words and the real jolt provided from an offseason overhaul highlighted by the trade for Dexter Lawrence, produced a notable electricity during the normally mundane time of year.“You definitely feel it,” said Burrow, who arrived for good early last month. “You feel the excitement and the energy from a lot of different guys. Obviously the veteran guys that we brought in, but then the young guys who are eager and hungry to prove themselves as well.”An extreme pressure was placed on this season way back in January, when Duke Tobin stood in front of a firing squad of a news conference, addressing three consecutive years in the prime window of Burrow’s career without making the playoffs.Coach Zac Taylor and Tobin were mentioned after the season in a statement of support from president Mike Brown, which also read like a warning shot: Win now or bigger discussions are coming.The offseason reflected that tone with Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook and Cashius Howell all added to the defense. In an effort to assure another Burrow injury doesn’t derail the season, the Bengals landed Joe Flacco as a $6 million insurance policy.The AFC North is in a stage of transition, all 11 starters are back on offense, the defense has been overhauled, the pieces to make a real run are in place.“I love it,” Turner said. “I couldn’t be happier. Seriously.”The players feel it. The leaders feel it.“They see the talent that’s across the ball in all phases,” Taylor said. “They’ve been in the league long enough to know what it’s supposed to look like, and we’ve got a lot of guys that are what it’s supposed to look like.”None more than the highest-paid receiving duo in the NFL.In years’ past, Chase would write down his personal goals for the season on a note and post it on his mirror. The 2021 offensive rookie of the year and 2024 triple crown winner changed his perspective entering this season.“That’s not my goal,” Chase said. “I don’t even want to write it down and put it on my mirror anymore, that’s not my goal. There’s nothing I could think about that I can say I want to go into this year and do besides if we can win the AFC Championship, that’s the goal.”Higgins opened his eyes wide and held the pose when asked what he thought about the move for Lawrence. He followed dropping the same line as Chase moments earlier, the Super Bowl has superseded all individual pursuits for now. That hadn’t always been the tone of the conversation in the past. Of course, that’s easier when a player has already been paid handsomely, played in Pro Bowls and featured in advertising campaigns.The most telling difference, though, comes from the decisions of Turner and the other young extension candidates. They saw what the front office did and know what’s possible because of it — for themselves and those filing through Paycor Stadium.“It shows that they want it just as bad as us,” said Murphy, who complimented the team on its transparency despite declining his fifth-year option. “It’s very motivating. And I don’t need to do anything but be the best player I can be.”If the Bengals can go on a run, everybody wins: coaches, personnel staff, players. That’s the case every year, but some years how close that feels to a reality ratchets up the urgency. Whether in post-practice competitions or just seeing the box checked next to every player on the attendance sheet, the momentum is building.“There is an excitement level, not just within our team, within the community, within the fan base,” Taylor said. “You feel that when you’re out and about. Our players feel that in the building. It’s hard to compare that to years past because every year is just so different, but right now there’s a lot of excitement in the locker room. The energy level is exceptionally high, has been that way for several weeks. … So I think guys are really excited for the work and to see what this team is capable of.”The Bengals right now reflect the confidence of a contender.The presence and tone coming from those with everything to lose personally confirms it, with Turner leading the way.“I’m just trying to work,” Turner said. “I’m trying to work and win. Everything else will fall in line.”