What we learned from Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow at training camp

During the Bengals' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on August 13, key special teams players such as punter Ryan Rehkow and kicker Evan McPherson remained on the field despite other high-profile teammates exiting the game. Long snapper Will Wagner was also present for each kick. This common preseason practice of keeping special teams players involved, even under challenging conditions like heavy rain, allowed Rehkow, McPherson, and Wagner to be under scrutiny and receive a lot of attention.

Rehkow expressed that being available for the entire game, especially in such high-pressure situations, was both a blessing and a privilege. He had a productive game, converting all four of his kicks, including three field goals and one extra point. McPherson also had a strong performance, making five punts, with three going inside the opponent's 20-yard line and one resulting in a fair catch on Detroit's nine-yard line.

Rehkow, who ranked as the No. 9 punter in the NFL in terms of punt net average during the 2025 season, was given the confidence to experiment with different techniques. He expressed a newfound comfort in trying out new approaches during preseason, as he felt more supported by the team and coordinator Darren Simmons. Rehkow mentioned that practicing various situational plays, such as those that might occur infrequently during the regular season, was valuable for his development.