A monster extension for Ja’Marr Chase may not be worked out this offseason, but the Bengals could finish another set of negotiations before the start of the 2024 campaign. Kicker Evan McPherson recently confirmed contract talks are ongoing as he prepares for the final year of his rookie contract. 
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“We’re just still grinding everything out,” the 25-year-old said (via Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network) “and we’ll see if we can get something done. If it happens right now, great, I’m happy. But if it doesn’t, I’m even more happy. I’m just gonna go out there and perform the same either way.”
The Bengals made it clear a new deal for McPherson was among the team’s top priorities, so it comes as little surprise talks are ongoing. The former fifth-rounder has been consistent for Cincinnati to date, ranging between 82.8% and 84.8% with respect to field goal accuracy. McPherson has connected on 21 attempts of 50 yards or longer, comfortably the most in a kicker’s first three seasons since 1970.
As a result, the Florida alum has set himself up to become one of the league’s highest-paid kickers. The AFC North already features three of the top earners at the position. Justin Tucker (Ravens), Dustin Hopkins (Browns), and Chris Boswell (Steelers) are among the kickers averaging at least $5MM per season on their current deals. McPherson will likely join them in that regard once his extension is in place, although he noted he does not know if an agreement will be finalized before Week 1.
The top of the kicking market was reset earlier this week when Harrison Butker inked a deal which will keep him in Kansas City through 2028. His extension carries an AAV of $6.4MM and includes $17.75MM in guarantees. McPherson will be hard-pressed to match those figures on a new Bengals pact, but he can nevertheless be expected to secure a signficant raise if negotiations breed progress on an extension.