No, Evan McPherson is not going to throw a touchdown pass. That’s Joe Burrow. He’s not going to catch a touchdown pass. That’s Ja’Marr Chase. He not going to get a sac or intercept a pass. That’s Trey Hendrickson and Cam Taylor Britt. No position in football is more important and least important than the kicker. They only come on the field to kickoff and to try field goals. That’s it.
Let’s just be honest. Evan McPherson has been single-handedly responsible for Bengal wins and Bengal losses. It was McPherson’s pressurized 31-yard kick in the 2022 AFC Championship that sent the Bengals to their first Super Bowl in more than 30 years. McPherson had been so accurate he is nicknamed ‘money’ Mac. McPherson gained a reputation at the University of Florida for being able to accurately kick the long field goals. The reputation was well earned. In 2021 the money man made 9 out of 11 kicks from 50 plus yards. He was 5 of 5 in 22, 7 of 12 in 23, and 3 of 6 thus far this season.
No player can be more beloved or loathed than the kicker. In 1991 the Super Bowl was on the line. The Buffalo Bills trailed 20-19 with a few second left. Scott Norwood missed a game ending 47-yard field goal that would have given the Bills the title. Norwood received reported death threats for missing the kick. This is how seriously people take their football.
As of late McPherson has not been as accurate as he normally is. He presently is in the midst of his lowest field goal made percentage at 76.5. The Florida product missed a game winning field goal in overtime in a critical divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens back on October 6. The miss was not totally McPherson’s fault as the hold was botched. Nevertheless, like a QB throwing an interception, the only thing that will be remembered is the kick was missed by McPherson.
Right now Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens is the gold standard of field goal kickers in the NFL. Tucker is likely a sure fire hall of famer. Tucker has played since 2012 and has career accuracy of 89.7. It remains to be seen if McPherson will be in the NFL after 15 seasons. He is well on his way though. Money Mac is already thought to be one of the best Bengal kickers in history. Some of the greats include Jim Breech, Dough Pelfrey, and even goes back to the 70s with kicker Horst Muhlmann. The McPherson saga is still being written. Hopefully it will end up between the goalpost.