Bengals K Evan McPherson's biggest strength now looks like a weakness as his ongoing slump persists
Two reasons stood out for why the Cincinnati Bengals rewarded kicker Evan McPherson with a three-year, $16.5 million contract this offseason. He's proven to make kicks when it matters, and splitting the uprights from 50+ yards away is no problem.McPherson's last four games would have you questioning if either were ever true.The Bengals had many […]
Two reasons stood out for why the Cincinnati Bengals rewarded kicker Evan McPherson with a three-year, $16.5 million contract this offseason. He's proven to make kicks when it matters, and splitting the uprights from 50+ yards away is no problem.
McPherson's last four games would have you questioning if either were ever true.
The Bengals had many other issues unfold during their 37-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but McPherson missing yet another field goal from beyond 50 yards during a close first half of football now begs an uncomfortable question about one of the three veteran players under contract for the next three seasons.
Evan McPherson's struggles can no longer be brushed aside
It's been almost exactly one month since McPherson has made a field goal from beyond 50 yards. He began the season 3-3 during the first four games from deep. He's 0-3 over the last four games including pulling a 54-yarder against Philly wide left.
Including postseason play, McPherson was 17-19 from 50+ in his first two years. He's now 10-18 over the last two years.
The kick McPherson did make Sunday afternoon was more of a chip shot from 27 yards out. He's made all six of his attempts from inside 40 yards this year, while he's 5-9 from beyond 40 yards.
He didn't get paid just to make the shorter kicks, but he did get paid and that's a fact the Bengals have to work around. McPherson is locked in as Cincinnati's kicker through the 2027 season. They're going to ride him and his leg for a while longer unless things get tremendously worse. The problem is they have no way of knowing if that will be the case.
Kicker issues are so very unpredictable and mental. Established studs can all of the sudden develop the yips and some never get out of it. No other position's role is surrounded by such isolated pressure.
But pressure has never been an issue for McPherson. He's kicked several game-winners in the regular season and playoffs alike. He's been a reliable weapon on more than just a few occasions. He's also dealt with a slump like this before.
Back in 2022, McPherson went three games without making a field goal. He was 0-2 in those games and had to wait another week on bye before finally making one again. 28 days elapsed in-between those makes, but McPherson locked in to make 13 of his final 14 attempts of the regular season and all five of his postseason tries.
It's why head coach Zac Taylor was very clear about McPherson's current slump.
"I've got confidence in him," Taylor bluntly stated to reporters after the loss.
The Bengals paid McPherson to make most of the kicks he's missed this year. They valued him as a kicker who could make the kicks with a consistency most others can't match.
It's now on him to prove worthy of that distinction once more before regret starts to set in.
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