CINCINNATI — That the Cincinnati Bengals signed Evan McPherson to a contract extension was hardly a surprise.
But the length of the deal was.
Last weekend in Chicago, McPherson agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million extension.
Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Ranks 5th Among Kickers at $5.5 Million AAV
The 2021 fifth-round pick officially signed the contract Sunday, and on Monday, he met with the local media to talk about the process.
“I had a good feeling that eventually something was gonna get done,” McPherson said. “It was trending that way, but like I said last week, if it didn’t get done, I was kind of at peace with it anyways. But I knew where it was trending, and I’m just excited that it’s finished.”
McPherson’s $5.5 million average annual salary ranks tied for fifth among kickers alongside Graham Gano.
Evan's thoughts after signing a 3-year extension… "This is where I'm gonna be… We're gonna have fun and just win games." 🫡 pic.twitter.com/wsFkY17e8I
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
The four kickers making more annually — Harrison Butker ($6.4 million), Justin Tucker ($6 million), Jake Elliott ($6 million), and Matt Gay ($5.625 million) all signed four-year contracts.
McPherson said the length of his deal was not a concession, but rather something he preferred.
“It’s just as kickers, as football players, our time is limited, and so I think you have the opportunity to hit your next contract at an earlier age,” McPherson said. “So just trying to get as many (contracts) in as possible.”
Butker will be 34 when his four-year, $25.6 million deal ends.
Tucker (four years, $24 million) will be 36.
Elliott (four years, $24 million) will be 34.
And Gay (four years, $22.5 million) will be 31.
McPherson will be 28 when he hits free agency again in March 2028.
“He’s got the leg, he’s got the confidence, he’s got the ability,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “He’s only going to continue to get better and better. I truly believe his best days are ahead, even though we’ve already had some best days.”
McPherson kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime to beat the Minnesota Vikings in his first career game. That set the tone for what was to come in the postseason, as his game-winning 52-yard field goal as time expired beat the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.
And his 31-yarder in overtime in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs sent the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
McPherson was 12 for 12 in the postseason as a rookie, and he remains perfect at 19 for 19.
Since the 1970 merger, only Robbie Gould has more postseason field goals without a miss.
Most career postseason FGs without a miss in the Super Bowl era: pic.twitter.com/aLONC7jLQv
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison)
“Every point is important in the playoffs, no matter how you get it,” McPherson said.
“You want to make sure you get every point possible. Maybe toward the couple last weeks of the regular season, you are kind of worn down, tired, long season. When playoffs come around, you get a new fire. You’re excited. For those games, it’s a little bit of a different feeling because it is win or go home. That holds your focus for those games.”
Just as three felt like the right number for the length of his extension, McPherson counts to three before each field-goal attempt.
“I have a breathing routine for every kick,” McPherson said. “I breathe at least three times before every kick. Once whenever I spot the holder. Another when I get my steps back and then when I go to my steps over. That’s when I look at the uprights. Deep breath in and exhale, and then I go.
“I think that is big for kickers, getting a breathing routine and just slow the heart rate down,” he added. “I think that is the most important thing.”
More often than not, the three breaths equal three points, no matter the distance.
McPherson’s 21 field goals of 50+ yards (on 28 attempts) are tied with Chris Boswell (21 of 25) and Matt Prater (21 of 28) for the most in the NFL since he was drafted.
When including the postseason, McPherson’s 24 field goals of 50+ lead the league. Those 24 field goals are 15 more than the second most in Cincinnati history (nine by Mike Nugent).
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McPherson is also the Bengals’ career leader in field-goal percentage at 86.6. Shayne Graham is second (86.0).
But McPherson calming his heart rate doesn’t mean calming the nerves before making those kicks.
“I still get nervous,” he said. “It’s a whole range of emotions that go through you before any kick. I think nerves is definitely one of those things. I just pray for peace and a clear mind.”
