Bengals Star Reveals ‘I Can’t Play’ Point to Bounce-Back Season

Entering his fourth NFL season in 2024 after being a fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, kicker Evan McPherson was awarded a hefty three-year contract worth $14 million.

With expectations to live up to his promotion as a top-half of the league kicker by compensation, McPherson had an unproductive season.

When he was on the field, he was not as prolific as he's been in the past with just 16 made field goals on 22 attempts (72.7%) in 12 games played. His season was unfortunately cut short after a groin injury knocked him out for the last five games of the year.

Heading into 2025, McPherson, 25, spoke about his biggest area for improvement in his quest to bounce back for Cincy.

"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."

His return to top form will be crucial for the Bengals' chances at competing in a tough AFC North division featuring the perennial favorite Baltimore Ravens. 

Coincidentally, Cincinnati went 5-0 to end the 2024 regular season after McPherson was sidelined. However, lingering injury concerns could be a troublesome sign of things to come at the start of the season, so the place kicker's rehab is extremely important to getting off to a better start than last year's 0-3 opening.

On their way to a 9-8 finish, the Bengals were forced to bring up Cade York from the practice squad to take over for McPherson. The special teams unit also featured rookie holder Ryan Rehkow.

York is now a free agent, and McPherson aims to enter a full offseason program with Rehkow and long snappers Cal Adomitis and William Wagner to build chemistry and confidence for next season.

The first thing remains to be McPherson's health, and he believes he is on the right path to make an impactful return.