Ryan Rehkow's two years in the NFL have yielded the two best punting seasons in Bengals history. His third could put him in the Pro Bowl.
So says Bengals assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons. But only if Rehkow comes close to halving his NFL-leading 11 touchbacks of 2025.
"That's definitely an area of emphasis so far during this offseason," said Rehkow Wednesday after a rare offseason gathering of The Operation in a session at the I.E.L Indoor Facility. "That's going to continue to be it."
Kicker Evan McPherson took advantage of Rehkow popping in from Utah and long-snapper William Wagner reporting from suburban Atlanta back to what he calls his "home base," to get in a few kicks.
"Smooth,' said Wager of the first snaps and holds of the season. "Like riding a bike."
The Bengals have been riding Rehkow's rockets ever since his first NFL game in 2024, when he punted himself into the NFL record book. This past season he became the first Bengal to average more than 50 yards per punt with a 50.5 that made him the 11th punter to hit that mark with at least 25 punts in the 56 years of the merger.
But, he says the idea is jacking up that 42.9-yard net average, second in Bengals' annals to Rehkow's 43.3 as a rookie.
"It's interesting, because with the kickoff change, you find yourself in that gray area a lot more," Rehkow said. "Do I just let it rip. Do I take a little bit off? I think there was a learning curve to that for me last year, and so headed into this year, it's just knowing what my go-to is in those situations."
Situational, along with directional, are the key words for Rehkow. His plan of attack this offseason is to marry his mechanics with what the situation requires.
"I feel like there's some different techniques that you can use to just kind of mitigate the risk of a touchback," Rehkow said. "It's more so, where are you aiming? How are you trying to manipulate the ball? … It's easier to take something off the ball than it is to put more on the ball. I saw the areas that I was lacking and how my training correlated to that.
"It's just been shifting that when I'm on the field working, putting myself in those situations so that it's not like bombs away every time, which is what it has been in the past. Now, it's let's work a little bit more situational and just get even more comfortable in those spots."
The numbers say that it won't take much. Jordan Stout was voted All-Pro with a 50.1 gross average and six touchbacks. Tress Way was the other Pro Bowler with a 47.9 and four touchbacks.
"There are a lot of talented punters out there," Rehkow said, "and I definitely strive to be one of them."
Wags Way
At last month's NFL scouting combine, Simmons spoke of how for the first time in a few years he felt good leaving the collegiate showcase. He knew there was nothing better than what he had, and that says a lot about the final piece. Wagner seeks to build off his solid rookie season without some of last year's early rookie drama.
"He saved me a few times," said Waner, nodding to Rehkow.
The signing off the undrafted rolls of Rehkow two years ago and Wagner last year helped shore up the leaky snap-hold-kick operation that had plagued McPherson since the departure of franchise all-timers Kevin Huber holding and Clark Harris snapping.
It dawned on Rehkow just how good Wagner had been during a late-season practice that was not exactly ideal. It may have been raining. It was definitely cold.
"The thing that stood out to me, it was probably week 17 or 18," Rehkow said. "And, to Will's credit, there was one ball that was slightly laces on the back. Evan and I looked at each other. Honestly, we couldn't remember the last time the laces had been on the backside of the ball. That's really impressive."
Wagner likes to use golf terms to make it easier for the uninitiated to understand.
"It's like getting a new driver. You've got to figure it out. Ryan's my new driver," Wagner said. "I figured it out. Some holders catch at different rates. And they have different profiles. It's like, I've got to aim differently. Then, you just grip it and rip it."
No Holds Barred
If Rehkow improves on reducing his touchbacks this offseason like he improved on his holding last offseason, he can make his Pro Bowl reservations. Not pleased with some rookie snafus, Simmons instructed Rehkow to work on his holding last year, and he's still raving about the improvement.
A year ago in February, Rehkow bought his own JUGS machine after he consulted with wife Hadlley, who responded, "If it's going to help you, let's do it."
It cost $4,000, and it's the gift that keeps on giving. Although Hadley is expecting their first child, she's still setting the dials (just past the 3 for about 35 miles per hour) and putting the footballs in the machine. It's a three-person job if they want to go at a crisp rate, and either her mother, father, or sister is always willing to help collect the balls and hand them to her.
"She was doing the short toss, but that doesn't really do it, and now it's good we've got the machine because she's pregnant," Rehkow said. "We put the speakers out there and hang out."
But there's nothing like the real thing.
"I think the adjustment from the college ball to the NFL, just because it doesn't have the stripes," Rehkow said. "The college balls, I feel like, are a lot easier because it's a lot more visual, whereas with the NFL ball, you've just got to feel it a little bit more.
"And I think also us just being able to get more reps in and get more established, get that familiarity. But Will's been dialed ever since he got here, and that's helped a ton."
