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Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson is one of the best kickers in the NFL. Today, the Bengals paid him as such.
The Bengals reached a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension with McPherson on Friday afternoon. He will earn $10 million in new money in his first year, which is the highest ever for a three-year extension for a kicker. The news was announced by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network on X.
McPherson has been on the money for the Bengals when it matters the most. McPherson is a perfect 19-of-19 on field goal attempts in the playoffs. He has also made 21 field goals beyond 50 yards, which is tied for the third-most in the last three seasons.
Upon learning about their kicker being extended, Bengals fans were happy for McPherson, but are still left disgruntled. They want the team to land deals with wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase.
Here's how fans reacted:
"Payed a kicker before Higgins lmao," one fan said.
"this isn’t the news we want announced, mike," one fan said.
"Not the guy we need to be worried abt resigning, happy for em tho he was a big part of the ‘21 run," another fan wrote.
Some pointed out how good of a kicker McPherson has been in the NFL, and that the contract is well-deserved.
"Proud of Evan! Way to go on getting that bag!" one fan said.
"2nd best kicker in the league," one person said.
"Good signing," one fan wrote.
What is the Bengals' situaton regarding Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase?
The Cincinnati Bengals may have the best wide receiver duo in the NFL with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both of them will be paid as such soon.
Higgins was set to become a free agent this offseason before the Bengals used the franchise tag on him in February. After failing to reach a long-term deal, Higgins signed a one-year contract on June 17.
Chase is entering his fourth year in the NFL and is under contract through the 2025 season. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option which was an expected move.
Both Higgins and Chase would ideally like long-term extensions before the start of the season, but it seems unlikely to happen for either of them.
