CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Bengals have played 25 seasons in Paycor Stadium since it opened in 2000 and with that as the backdrop I am subjectively counting down the top 25 players to play for the team in that time frame.
The only criteria is the player must have played at least three seasons for the team this century and their performance with the team is the only thing considered, not performance with other teams either prior to, or after, playing for the Bengals.
An alphabetical list of 25 other players considered will be revealed when No. 1 is released on July 18.
After revealing the first two players on the list on Monday, here are the next two players coming in at No. 22 and No. 23:
No. 23: CB Tory James
Years with Bengals: 2003-06
The Skinny: He started all 64 regular-season games and one playoff game in Marvin Lewis’ first four seasons as head coach.
James recorded the second-most interceptions in the NFL in 2004 with eight when he earned the lone Pro Bowl berth in his career. He had five interceptions in 2005 when the Bengals made the playoffs for the first time since the 1990 season.
During his four seasons with the Bengals, James he had 21 interceptions, which ranks seventh in franchise history.
No. 22: K Evan McPherson
Years with Bengals: 2021-Present
The Skinny: He is coming off a sub-par 2024 season that was cut short after 12 games due to a groin injury, making just 72.7 percent of his field goal attempts (16 of 22), although four of his six misses were from 50 yards or longer.
McPherson has made 24 field goals of 50 yards or longer in his career, which is 16 more than any other kicker in franchise history, and the three players tied for second in makes of 50 yards or longer (Horst Muhlmann, Doug Pelfrey and Mike Nugent) combined for 24.
He has made the two longest field goals in franchise history (59 and 58 yards) and has four of the five longest in a regular season game.
In seven postseason games, “Money Mac” is 19 for 19 on field goal attempts, which is the second most consecutive makes to begin a career in NFL postseason history. Among the makes in that span were game-winners in the 2021 AFC Divisional round as time expired at Tennessee and in overtime in the 2021 AFC Championship game at Kansas City.
TOP 25 RELEASE SCHEDULE
June 30: Nos. 24-25July 1: Nos. 22-23July 2: Nos. 20-21July 3: Nos. 18-19July 4: Nos. 16-17July 7: Nos. 14-15July 8: Nos. 12-13July 9: Nos. 10-11July 10: Nos. 8-9July 11: Nos. 6-7July 14: No. 5July 15: No. 4July 16: No. 3July 17: No. 2July 18: No. 1 and list of 25 others who were considered