Here’s how backup Bengals kicker Cade York made history vs. Browns

On December 29, 2024By Littum

Cade York faced bigger obstacles than the wind and the distance as he made history and finished Cincinnati Bengals‘ all-time record for the franchise’s longest successful field goal.

York had to survive several moments of indecision by its own head coach, Zac Taylor, just before attempting the kick on Sunday against Cleveland Browns. Then he had to beat defensive end Myles Garrett – no easy task for any player at any position, and especially for NFL kickers.

Garrett, York’s former teammate in Cleveland, was upset in the minutes leading up to the kick simply because of the threat he posed and the concern it gave Taylor. Garrett had the athleticism and experience to potentially turn the field goal attempt into a play that could also have brought an end to the Bengals’ faint playoff hopes.

York overcame it all late in the first half against the Cleveland Browns, booting a 59-yard field goal to tie kicker Evan McPherson for the longest successful field goal in Bengals history. The score put Cincinnati up 17-0 at halftime. The Bengals (7-8) went on to win, 24-6, as they kept their long-shot AFC Wild Card playoff hopes alive.

York backs up the highly paid McPherson, a Bengals captain who missed the last three games due to injury. But backup or not, York’s name is etched indelibly in team history now. He is right next to McPherson, who hit a 59-yarder in 2022.

However, York’s big opportunity to drill the kick, which he launched into Paycor Stadium’s north end zone from the center of the Bengals’ “B” logo at midfield, was nearly scrapped by Taylor in favor of a punt.

Leading, 14-0, on 4th and 14 and with one play to go in the first half, Taylor wasn’t sure at first how best to play the situation. In the press box and in the stands, calls were made for a Joe Burrow “Hail Mary” throw to the end zone. It seemed like a low-risk option to some considering Ja’Marr Chase’s ability to go up and make catches, but not to Taylor.

“I don’t love the ‘Hail Mary’ in that situation, to be honest with you,” Taylor explained.

Taylor didn’t seem to love any of his options. He initially called for a punt, but then called timeout. After reconsideration, Taylor ordered a field goal – final decision. But he made that decision with considerable trepidation.

What bothered Taylor on the field goal was Garrett, because the 28-year-old Texas A&M product and reigning Defensive Player of the Year has a track record of blowing up field goals.

Several times in regular season play, Garrett has blocked the entire line of scrimmage, reappearing in the kicking team’s backfield and stuffing their kicks. He did it against the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, and even more impressively on October 13 to the Philadelphia Eagles when the Eagles attempted a 57-yarder.

Against the Eagles, the ensuing loose ball was picked up for a Browns touchdown return, meaning Philadelphia was rewarded for its long field goal attempt with a shocking 10-point swing because of Garrett. That play was foremost on Taylor’s mind.

“What goes through my mind is Myles Garrett blocks a punt at halftime of the Eagles game and kind of turned the tide there,” Taylor said. “That’s what happens with some of the longer field goals. You’re a little bit torn. It had nothing to do with Cade or any of that. It was the direction we felt better kicking a longer distance, take a shot at the end of the half. It’s more just the impact Myles has. He blocks kicks in those longer situations that can change games.”

‘No one’s trying to stop you, Myles’

York said he tried to focus on everything but Garrett, but he had already had more kicks blocked by Garrett in his career. No one saw the blocks in public, but they still left an impression on York.

York broke into the NFL with the Browns in 2021. There he was Garrett’s teammate and Garrett practiced blocking York’s field goals. Garrett is primarily paid to sack quarterbacks, but York described his now-former teammate’s palpable fascination with trying to blow up plays on special teams.

At times, Garrett’s fixation on blocking field goals even interfered with York’s own work in practice.

“Funny story. My rookie year in Cleveland, Myles is practicing it (blocking kicks) and we called it in practice, but usually if you call it in practice, you don’t actually do it,” York said. “Literally, I’m not kidding, probably five times that season, he’d skip the snap and just block my kick in the middle of practice. Like, nobody’s trying to stop you, Myles, and he’d just eat it from, four feet away .

“” I’m like, ‘hey, I’m trying to make kicks in practice too, you fool. Leave me alone.'”

York on his historic moment: ‘It’s pretty cool’

After York saw Taylor had ordered a field goal attempt and was back on the field, the Browns called timeout to try to freeze York. It didn’t work.

York said he put everything he had into the kick. It showed when the ball appeared to clear the crossbar of the goal post by a yard or two. Taylor was grinning from ear to ear.

“It was just like any other kick. Just a little bit colder and a little bit longer,” York said.

Kickers are increasingly making 50-plus yard field goals look routine. And with McPherson’s future in Cincinnati secured, it’s not hard to imagine York’s collegiate record falling one day. But even then, his kick will surely hold a place in Bengals lore.

Decades from now, you can imagine bar trivia staffers will be asking Cincinnatians for the name of the backup kicker who hit what was then tied for the longest field goal in franchise history.

York, who has been friendly and self-effacing in his interview sessions since arriving with the team earlier in December, was almost nonchalant about the impact of his 59-yard punt for the playoff-hopeful Bengals.

“Feels great,” York said. “I didn’t really realize (the story) until after the game, but… it’s pretty cool.”