Cincy Jungle
When it comes to the most important players on the Cincinnati Bengals after Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, Evan McPherson may be next.
When at the top of his game, McPherson is a weapon. His leg is one of the strongest in the NFL, and he reminded Bengals fans of what he is capable of Monday night when he drilled a 54-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
McPherson is perfect on field goals and extra points in the preseason, a sign that he is healthy and is benefiting from adjustments he is making to his kicking routine.
“Health is the most important thing I’m focusing on. I can’t play this game if I’m hurt,” McPherson said in an offseason interview with Bengals.com senior writer Geoff Hobson. “This offseason, I’m trying to figure out more ways to strengthen the small muscles that I had problems with and just continue to do that. With all that work in strengthening it, I’m making sure I’m back stronger than ever. Training those little muscles you don’t even think about.
“I make sure to at least lengthen my warmup where I’m actually warming up and not just stretching. Actually getting the muscles fired up and ready to go. Make sure I touch everything. I feel like in the past … maybe I wouldn’t do enough.”
Unfortunately, we saw last year how much of an impact a struggling McPherson can make. The hope is he’s moved past that and is ready to get back to his 2021-22 form that helped the Bengals reach consecutive AFC Championships and Super Bowl LVI.
With 55 points this season, McPherson will become the fastest Bengal in team history to reach 500 career points.
