Struggling Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Isn't Going Away in 2024, But an Out In His Contract Could Affect Future

[Arkansas Bengal]

Jay Morrison | Nov 18, 2024

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals place kicker Evan McPherson (2) lines up to kick a field goal in the second quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. The Chargers led 24-6 at halftime. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

 

CINCINNATI – The disintegration of kicker Evan McPherson’s accuracy might be the most jarring development in a Cincinnati Bengals season full of failures.

 

Yes, the defense is a trainwreck, but no one expected that group to win games for the team. The hope was just that it wouldn’t lose them.

 

That wish, like so many of McPherson’s kicks, has been wide of the mark.

 

The expectation for McPherson, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million extension in August, was that he would be a weapon and a difference maker.

And he has been. Just the wrong kind. Self-inflicted wounds make a big difference.

 

After hitting chip shots of 26 and 27 yards in the first half on Sunday’s 34-27 road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, McPherson’s slump continued in the fourth quarter after the Bengals rallied from a 21-point deficit to tie the game.

 

With the score tied 27-27, McPherson missed a 48-yard attempt with 7:31 to go.

 

After the defense came up with an improbable fourth three-and-out of the second half to give McPherson another chance, he missed from 51 with 1:48 remaining.

 

“He knows to make those kicks,” frustrated wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said. “That's why we paid him those bucks, to make those kicks in crunch time.”

 

That’s how McPherson made a name – and nickname – for himself as a rookie. Money Mac was one of the most clutch kickers in the league with walk-off winners in the Divisional Round and AFC Championship Game along with two in the regular season and a game-changing, franchise-record 58-yarder right before halftime in a road win at Denver.

 

But McPherson is just 15 of 21 on field goals this season. That 71.4-percent success rate ranks 29th among the 32 kickers with at least 10 attempts.

 

Factoring in 2023 as well, McPherson is 41 of 52 (78.8 percent), which ranks 28th among 29 kickers with at least 25 attempts.

 

Sunday night marked just the second time in his career he’s missed multiple field goals in a game, and first since a gusty day early in his rookie season.

 

"We’ve got a lot of confidence in Evan,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “It just wasn't his day today."

 

Taylor really has no choice but to express confidence in McPherson.

 

Fans screaming for the team to cut him are delusional. As much as McPherson has struggled, there are no available kickers who would inspire any more confidence and there are zero with McPherson’s track record from when things were going well.

 

The Bengals have to stay the course.

 

At least through the end of this season.

 

They do have a potential out in his contract after 2024 that would only cost them $3.8 million in dead money, making for a savings of $6.9 million.

 

The next six games will be huge for McPherson if he wants to play out the three seasons remaining on his contract.

 

McPherson, and many of his teammates, had left the visitors locker room at SoFi Stadium by the time reporters entered after the news conferences with Taylor and quarterback Joe Burrow down the hall.

 

But a few weeks ago following a missed 54-yarder against Philadelphia, McPherson said his confidence was still high and “there is no reason for it to be low.”

 

In his first two seasons, including the playoffs, McPherson was 17 of 19 from 50+ yards.

 

In the last two seasons, he’s 10 of 19.

 

Overall in 2021-22, he was 71 of 81 (87.7 percent).

 

Since then, he’s 41 of 52 (78.8 percent).

 

Taylor said not to expect the team to part ways with McPherson or make any other wholesale changes to the roster or the coaching staff during the bye week.

 

“I think we all watch the game. We can see it's just coming down to one play in every single game,” he said. “So why would you make a big wholesale change when it's just coming down one play? To me, that's just panic. That's not what we're about.

 

We believe in what we're doing. We’re not going to be those people that just panic because the record is 4-7 and we start making all these significant changes. That's not what the answer is.”

 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/struggling-bengals-kicker-evan-mcpherson-isn-t-going-away-in-2024-but-an-out-in-his-contract-could-affect-future-01jd02terf2n?fbclid=IwY2xjawGq3z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQez9AJ9dY_3d1_zRkoXRisHjNzpbObeAMqIfCJTbJLMWvpTju2DwEiLjw_aem_ILGPAvXlubMa89sR4Ieo2Q

[A Rock]

"Just coming down to one play in every single game!?" That's our head coaches assessment of this teams situation!? Was he using thorazine recreationally for the entire first half. They weren't bad. They were dreadful. I'm not even gonna pretend to have any guess as to how a team that could play so solid in the second half was absolutely clueless in the first. One play? The secondary had no idea where to be, or who to cover on just about every passing down in the first half. That's MANY plays that could've prevented being down three scores at the half. You put Superman and Chase down 21 points with 25 minutes left in the game, then act like we're just "one play away". Holy Smokes. We are in trouble with this mindset.

 

[|High School Harry|]

Screw that.

I still like and have faith in the guy.

The Yips can be cured.

And I am worried about other things going on with the guy.

One 54 yarder and everyone will love the guy again.

[Jamie_B]

6 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

Screw that.

I still like and have faith in the guy.

The Yips can be cured.

And I am worried about other things going on with the guy.

One 54 yarder and everyone will love the guy again.

 

Co-Sign

[Bleeds Orange]

[-GoBengals-]

On 11/20/2024 at 10:15 AM, A Rock said:

"Just coming down to one play in every single game!?" That's our head coaches assessment of this teams situation!? Was he using thorazine recreationally for the entire first half. They weren't bad. They were dreadful. I'm not even gonna pretend to have any guess as to how a team that could play so solid in the second half was absolutely clueless in the first. One play? The secondary had no idea where to be, or who to cover on just about every passing down in the first half. That's MANY plays that could've prevented being down three scores at the half. You put Superman and Chase down 21 points with 25 minutes left in the game, then act like we're just "one play away". Holy Smokes. We are in trouble with this mindset.

 

 

how do grown adults now see what press conferences are, what dumbass questions are asked week after week, and how its an obligation you are required to fullfill.

 

you think taylors assessment is "meh just a play here or there"? really, as a grown man thats what you think taylor thinks? not that he isnt going to break down a 5 minute retort than no one in the room is going to pay attention to, report on, or use reasonably in any media. you think thats it huh?

 

theres no way people exist in the world like this...  youre joking right?

 

like you dont think zach knows exactly what happened to the snap on every play and drive in the first half and could break down where palys or drive broke down? and you know, the staff of 30+ people havent analyzed it, discussed changes and began working on that for the next week?

 

you REALLY THINK, being a grown person who can vote and sign legal documents and open bank accounts, really really think thats taylors level of understanding of the seasons successes and failures????  and based on you thinking that... think the franchise is in trouble..

 

jesus fucking christ.

 

 

[A Rock]

9 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

 

how do grown adults now see what press conferences are, what dumbass questions are asked week after week, and how its an obligation you are required to fullfill.

 

you think taylors assessment is "meh just a play here or there"? really, as a grown man thats what you think taylor thinks? not that he isnt going to break down a 5 minute retort than no one in the room is going to pay attention to, report on, or use reasonably in any media. you think thats it huh?

 

theres no way people exist in the world like this...  youre joking right?

 

like you dont think zach knows exactly what happened to the snap on every play and drive in the first half and could break down where palys or drive broke down? and you know, the staff of 30+ people havent analyzed it, discussed changes and began working on that for the next week?

 

you REALLY THINK, being a grown person who can vote and sign legal documents and open bank accounts, really really think thats taylors level of understanding of the seasons successes and failures????  and based on you thinking that... think the franchise is in trouble..

 

jesus fucking christ.

 

 

jesus fucking christ, I've never seen an apologist quite like you.  I was at that game. Taylor's assessment is quite in line with his performance as a coach and with the franchise as a whole right now. Gaping holes abound and they do nothing. I'd have far more confidence with "no comment", than the pollyanna bullshit being pushed endlessly week after week. Do I think Zach looks at that shitshow is L.A. and says "just a play away"? Yeah, I do. That or he gladly sells it, knowing full well no changes are coming. Either way, unacceptable.

[Randle P McMurphy]

6 minutes ago, A Rock said:

jesus fucking christ, I've never seen an apologist quite like you.  I was at that game. Taylor's assessment is quite in line with his performance as a coach and with the franchise as a whole right now. Gaping holes abound and they do nothing. I'd have far more confidence with "no comment", than the pollyanna bullshit being pushed endlessly week after week. Do I think Zach looks at that shitshow is L.A. and says "just a play away"? Yeah, I do. That or he gladly sells it, knowing full well no changes are coming. Either way, unacceptable.

 

A staff of 30+ people lololololol.  

[MichaelWeston]

They will sign a UDFA in a deep kicker draft and go from there. HE's eared that. 

[-GoBengals-]

From laphams interview with  Simmons, it seems the new crew of holder/snapper combo, caused some issues with ball placement and timing, and evan has got in his head about how he needs to adjust to it, and i think the rough snap/hold early in the season vs the ravens(right?) has caused an avalanche of distrust in vans head. he said kickers need to think about nothing, do their measurement in their head and just trust the mechanics and kick, and he thinks evan is thinking if he needs to adjust his plant placement, closer? further? swing angle, anything. and its causing problems. said he expect the three of them to step away during the bye and come back with clear heads and trust the process and finish the season strong.

 

ill assume the last part is more hopeful than an expectation, but all the same. Darren has been direct about guys in the past, i dont recall if it was williams or a returner a few years ago straight saying he needed to do better and things of that nature, it wasnt the vibe in talking about McPherson, so it seems the team has the trust in him as a player still, and they seem to be aware of what the issues are and its a matter of them working themselves out.