Bengals K Evan McPherson has his priorities straight in fixing the one problem that can't happen again next season

The worst part about Evan McPherson's 2024 season was he didn't even get to redeem himself in the end. A groin injury took him out of the final five games of the year, locking in the worst statistical season he's had with the Cincinnati Bengals.

16 field goals made on 22 field goals attempted (72.7%) in just 12 games played. All were career-lows for the 25-year old who signed a three-year contract extension in the weeks leading up to the season.

Improving those numbers is a must, but being able to stay healthy comes first. That's the priority for the placekicker entering his fifth year in Cincinnati.

Evan McPherson focusing on coming back stronger

McPherson is months removed from his season-ending groin injury. With the offseason workouts slowly progress, he's focusing on ways to ensure durability being back on the table. 

"Health is the most important thing I'm focusing on. I can't play this game if I'm hurt,' McPherson told Bengals.com's 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."

McPherson's injury spurred the club to sign Cade York to the practice squad and eventually sign him to the active roster to play the final handful of games. York is a currently a free agent once again, leaving McPherson as the lone kicker in Cincinnati like he was in the heart of last season. 

The Bengals are keeping their faith in the former fifth-round pick whom they paid handsomely last offseason, but a bounce back year would need to involve more than just him.

McPherson enters a full offseason to work with holder Ryan Rehkow, last year's rookie long shot who made the roster. Rehkow getting more reps with McPherson and long snapper Cal Adomitis can propel the trio to a higher level of chemistry and understanding, making the big kicks easier to make.

Adomitis won't be the only long snapper in the operation this offseason as rookie undrafted free agent William Wagner will compete for the job. How that battle is decided could come down to McPherson's comparative effectiveness with both of them. 

All of that will be sorted out in time. What comes first is a healthy McPherson staying healthy, and he's on track to accomplishing just that.