Evan McPherson wanted to put on a show during the Bengals’ open practice on Saturday. In the last game of practice, that’s exactly what Cincinnati’s young kicker did.
In front of a crowd of nearly 30,000 fans, McPherson drilled a 65-yard kick, which would have been the second-longest field goal in NFL history had it occurred during a regular season game. McPherson’s kick on Saturday cleared the crossbar from several yards.
“We definitely planned it … to show the fans in attendance that this is actually possible,” McPherson saidBy Paul Dehner Jr. of athletic. “A nice, warm day like that the ball is compressing really well, and I hit that ball really well.”
McPherson is looking to build on the best season by a rookie kicker in NFL history. The 149th player taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, McPherson had 12 kicks of at least 50 yards, including a season-best 58 yards. He had four game-winning kicks, including two game-winners during the 2021 postseason, as the Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl for the third time in franchise history.
While he looks to make a similar impact on the Bengals in 2021, McPherson also has a shot at possibly breaking Justin Tucker’s year-old record for longest field goal in league annals. The Ravens’ longtime kicker buried a 66-yard kick in Detroit last September.
“I mean, I think we showed it today,” McPherson said. “If the conditions were right at the end of the half or at the end of the game, I think we’re comfortable with 68, around there. Indoors, it’s more like 65-66.”
