Cincinnati stars Chase and McPherson light up Pro Bowl voting as DJ Turner’s absence raises eyebrows
CINCINNATI – The early Pro Bowl Games voting has unveiled some promising news for the Cincinnati Bengals, with two of their standout players making significant strides. Ja’Marr Chase finds himself ranked fifth among wide receivers, while Evan McPherson holds the sixth spot in kicker voting. The official voting commenced on Thanksgiving and the latest tallies, reflecting fan votes cast via NFL.com or team sites, were released Monday at 11 a.m.
Chase is currently trailing behind notable names such as Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Dallas’ George Pickens, the Rams’ Puka Nacua, and Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. Meanwhile, McPherson’s competition includes the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker, Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey, Seattle’s Jason Myers, Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn, and Jacksonville’s Cam Little.
Chase’s impressive track record includes making the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons, underscoring his status as one of the league’s elite receivers. This year, he is joined by fellow Bengals players Joe Burrow and Trey Hendrickson, both of whom made the Pro Bowl in 2024. However, their current injury setbacks have hindered their voting momentum, leaving them in a challenging position.
DJ Turner’s notable absence
One of the most surprising outcomes of the initial voting results is the absence of Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II. Leading the league with 16 passes defended, Turner’s exclusion from the Pro Bowl conversation has sparked disappointment among fans. The cornerback took to social media, expressing his feelings through a simple side-eye emoji, echoing the sentiment of many who believe his performance deserves recognition.
The Pro Bowl voting continues to be a reflection of fan engagement, but as the early results show, it can also lead to discussions about recognition and merit within the league. As more votes are cast, the dynamics may shift, but for now, Chase and McPherson are carrying the Bengals’ banner in this year’s Pro Bowl race.
