With every field goal Evan McPherson sends through the uprights on the Cincinnati Bengals practice fields, the more pressure is on the front office to get him signed long-term.
External pressure in the form of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's four-year, $25.6 million extension was just added Monday. But while McPherson knows his own deal is getting worked on, he has respect for his elder peer.
"Yeah, I mean, he's been there, he's been around the block a little longer than I have," McPherson said of Butker. "Proved himself a little more, but I don't know. We're still grinding everything out, and we'll see if we can get something."
McPherson, who's set to enter a contract year at just 25 years old, is aware of how the market at his position is developing. Before Butker became the new highest-paid kicker, the Cleveland Browns extended Dustin Hopkins for over $5 million per year last month as well .
The table is very much set for McPherson and the Bengals to iron something out in the coming weeks. Negotiating during the season is not standard operating procedure at Paycor Stadium.
The clock is ticking, and with Ja'Marr Chase ready for a new deal as well , waiting out the process could feasibly become a distraction for a player whose job is already incredibly pressurized.
You wouldn't be able to tell that's the case for the guy they call Money Mac.
"No, it's not frustrating," McPherson said. "Like I've expressed before, if it happens right now, great, I'm happy, but if it doesn't, I'm even more as happy. I'm just going to go out there and perform the same either way."
There are multiple ways to handle the days leading up to getting paid in the NFL. Holding out, or Chase's case, holding in, is not the way McPherson wants to approach. His mindset is surely appreciated by the ones who are tasked with rewarding his services properly.
"I think it's just some unneeded stress to worry about that," McPherson said. "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."
Something should come up eventually. A contract worth around $6 million per year is nothing compared to the behemoth Chase is set to earn.
This is one of the easier decisions Cincinnati will make all year. It shouldn't be long before it's finalized .
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