Who is the Bengals' holder? Ryan Rehkow's massive mistake proves costly in 41-38 OT loss vs Ravens

Ryan Rehkow is not someone who would usually dominate the headlines, but on Sunday he made one of the most shocking gaffes of the 2024 season: he botched a snap, causing his kicker to miss a game-winning field goal. Then in overtime, his opponents won via a field goal.

But before delving into how that mistake occurred, who is he? How did he get into the NFL, and how has he been performing?

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Who is Bengals holder Ryan Rehkow?

Officially, Ryan Rekhow is a punter. But this also means that he holds the ball for Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan MacPherson during extra point and field-goal attempts.

Born in Veradale, Washington, he got his football start at Central Valley High. After graduating, he committed to BYU.

He broke out as a sophomore - breaking the school record for longest punt (83 yards), being named the best independent punter of 2021, and making the Ray Guy Award shortlist. A couple of seasons later, he made the All-Big 12 Second Team.

Afterwards, Rehkow joined the 2024 NFL Draft. He went unselected, but was soon picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent. However, he was waived soon after in June.

He would not go unsigned again for very long, getting a contract from the Cincinnati Bengals before preseason began. After preseason, he defeated sophomore Brad Robbins for the job.

And he would make a statement in his debut, surpassing AJ Cole III for highest gross punting average in a single game (64.5 yards). He also broke the franchise record for longest punt - 80 yards.

Just a few days ago, the Bengals waived Robbins, clearly being impressed at Rehkow's abilities. Head coach Zac Taylor said about him:

"He punts it far and high. He's come in and been a great fit. Confident since the day he walked in the door. Carries himself the right way with that confidence... He's done an excellent job, and done all the things we need him to do."

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Ryan Rehkow flubs the hold as Evan McPherson misses game-winning FG

That "excellent job" comment would haunt the team on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, however.

The game was tied 38-38 with just over four minutes left in overtime. The Bengals were facing a 4th-and-7. Evan McPherson was called in for the game-winner from 53 yards, but then something shocking happened.

Rehkow botched the snap, struggling to hold onto the ball. This caught the kicker off guard, and he sent it wide left, keeping the game tied.

Around a minute later, the Ravens won the game via a 24-yarder by Justin Tucker:

Cincinnati is now 1-4 on the season - one of the AFC's worst teams at the moment.