Evan McPherson's prediction comes true as the Bengals make a big commitment to keep him around

The Cincinnati Bengals and kicker Evan McPherson have agreed on a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension.

McPherson, still just 25 years old, will now be under contract with Cincinnati through the 2027 season.

Since being drafted with the 149th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, McPherson has been exactly whom the Bengals envisioned a franchise placekicker could be. His legendary rookie season in which he was a perfect 14-14 during postseason play solidified himself as a a long-term component for the franchise.

The most satisfying part? McPherson knew a deal would come eventually, and approached the topic with the right mindset.

"I think it's just some unneeded stress to worry about that," McPherson said last week . "Because at the end of the day, if I perform how I'm supposed to, it'll get done. I believe that, and if I just keep my head down, keep playing, something will come up eventually."

McPherson gave that answer right after Kansas City Chiefs K Harrison Butker reset the kicker market with his four-year, $25.6 million extension. McPherson's new deal won't reach that level, but the money up front has never been seen before.

Per NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, McPherson will get $10 million in new money in the first year of the deal. That's the most first-year cash for a three-year kicker extension in NFL history.

With a new average annual value of $5.5 million, McPherson is now tied for fifth amongst the highest-paid kickers in the NFL. His extension matches New York Giants K Graham Gano's to a tee, as Gano signed for exactly $16.5 million over three years last year.

While he falls short of Butker and Philadelphia Eagles K Jake Elliott, whom signed for $6MM per year this offseason, McPherson did surpass Cleveland Browns K Dustin Hopkins and the $5.3MM AAV he signed for last month.

So many new contracts for kickers put the pressure on Cincinnati to reward its own. McPherson was entering the last year of his rookie deal, and there was simply no chance the Bengals were going to allow him to leave.

All attention has now officially turned towards a Ja'Marr Chase extension with three weeks remaining until Week 1.

Related: Bengals K Evan McPherson is absolutely not on board with surprising request his position coach offered him