The Cincinnati Bengals have locked in a key offensive player for the foreseeable future. The team has agreed to a contract extension with kicker Evan McPherson to keep him in Cincinnati for the next few seasons.
The deal is for three years and is worth $16.5 million. NFL insider Mike Garafolo broke the news of the agreement on social media.
Money Mac. Literally. 💰
The #Bengals agreed to terms on a three-year, $16.5 million extension with K Evan McPherson, per his agents at @SPORTSTARSNYC.
McPherson will earn $10 million in new money in the first year of the deal, highest ever for a three-year kicker extension. pic.twitter.com/6OMpDepxwO
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 16, 2024
According to Garafolo, McPherson will earn $10 million in the first year of the extension. It is now the highest-ever amount for a kicker in a three-year extension.
McPherson has been a key piece to the success of the Bengals since he was drafted out of the University of Florida in 2021. He was picked by Cincinnati in the fifth round of the NFL Draft and immediately made his mark on the team.
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While at Florida, McPherson went viral for unscrewing a bottle cap with a field goal attempt. This showed off his leg strength and accuracy to potential NFL teams.
During his rookie season, McPherson became a true offensive weapon for the Bengals. He has become nicknamed “Money Mac” due to his accuracy and ability to not let the pressure moments get to him.
In his first career NFL game, he hit a 33-yard game-winning field goal to beat the Minnesota Vikings. A few games later, he hit a 48-yard field goal in overtime to help Cincinnati beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He continued his success in the postseason, hitting game-winning field goals against the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round and against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. His kick against Kansas City sent Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl since 1988.
Last season, McPherson hit 26-of-31 field goal attempts and went 40-for-40 on extra point attempts. His contract extension has been well earned by his level of production on the field for the Bengals.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 12: Evan McPherson #2 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates with teammates after kicking a field goal to beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. McPherson and the Bengals agreed to a new contract extension.
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
It has been an interesting offseason for Cincinnati with star wide receiver Tee Higgins asking for a trade and then ultimately signing the franchise tag. Higgins has wanted a new contract but so far, the Bengals haven’t been willing to give him one.
The other star wide receiver on the team, Ja’Marr Chase, is also dealing with his own contract dispute with Cincinnati. He is currently not participating in training camp as he deals with contract discussions.
For the Bengals to get this deal done with McPherson, they at least give themselves a safety net at the kicking position for the next few years. He has become a valuable member of this team and will play another big role in the upcoming season.
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