Bengals kicker Evan McPherson reveals the secret weapon behind perfect camp

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson has had a roller-coaster career, but if this year's training camp is any indication, he could be ascending back to his epic rookie-season apex.

For all the excitement the Bengals' front office has generated by improving the defense to better complement Joe Burrow and the offense, the margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin. Doesn't matter how talented your roster is. Execution of the fundamentals in clutch situations can be the difference between a winning and losing record. Between the playoffs and watching them from home.

McPherson has gotten it done on the grandest stages before as a key piece to Cincinnati's run to Super Bowl LVI. However, he's struggled at times since then. The 27-year-old is one of the league's highest-paid kickers, and is in the penultimate year of his contract.

In other words, it 's time for Money Mac to deliver the goods, or risk cap casualty status next season. If Bengals training camp is any indication, so far, so very good.

How William Wagner and Ryan Rehkow are unlocking a flawless camp for McPherson

Bengals radio voice Dan Hoard highlighted the fact that Evan McPherson hasn't missed a single field goal at training camp, and shared a quote from McPherson on why he's been so effective:

“I haven’t thought about a snap or a hold in like a year now...It makes my job a lot easier just having to focus on the kick knowing that the ball is going to be where it’s supposed to be at the right time."

Hoard mentioned that McPherson specifically credited punter/holder Ryan Rehkow and long snapper William Wagner for giving him a stress-free environment to let his kicks rip. And boy has this trio's efforts to button up their kick game execution paid off so far.

At last Friday's practice in Paycor Stadium, fans got to witness McPherson absolutely lace a 65-yard field goal through the uprights with plenty of room to spare:

Now that is the Money Mac I know.

In the midst of that aforementioned, unforgettable run to the Super Bowl, McPherson exuded the utmost confidence. After beating the No. 1 seed Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round, Burrow relayed a story about how McPherson approached him before drilling the game-winning 52-yard kick to say, "Looks like we're going to the AFC Championship Game!"

As a rookie! On the road! Against the mighty Mike Vrabel! At Tennessee! The stones of this young man!

That's how you meet the moment. I thought for sure at the time that McPherson was destined to be the literal best kicker in the entire NFL. Alas, it hasn't quite panned out that way amid bouts of wild inconsistency.

In FanSided's brand-new definitive kicker rankings, McPherson doesn't even crack the top 10. He sits in 13th place.

If the Bengals do indeed contend for the Lombardi Trophy this season and McPherson nails at least a couple game-winners, though, he should easily ascend into the upper echelon of placekickers. McPherson is coming off his most efficient field goal season, making 25 of 28 attempts in 2025.

Good on Rehkow and Wagner for making the kicking operation so seamless, too. Rehkow is a fine punter in his own right, but being a sturdy holder is almost just as critical.

As for Wagner, he was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan in 2025 who beat out incumbent veteran Cal Adomitis in camp. Seemed like a bold move by the coaching staff at the time. Appears to have been the right call!

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