4 free-agent returners the Carolina Panthers could sign in 2021
By Dean Jones
Byron Pringle
- 2020 team – Kansas City Chiefs
Another young player that comes with a ton of upside is Byron Pringle. The wide receiver is a relative afterthought on a Kansas City Chiefs passing attack that is stacked with prolific playmakers and the promise of more involvement elsewhere while making his usual impression on special teams is something the player would undoubtedly consider.
Pringle has 25 receptions from 33 targets over his first two years in the league after going undrafted out of Kansas State. His ability to make a substantial contribution as a kick returner is something the Chiefs relied upon heavily both during the season and in the playoffs, which resulted in a regular-season average of 32.4 yards per return with one touchdown.
He carried on this positive momentum into the playoffs with a 25.8 yards per return average, giving star quarterback Patrick Mahomes some useful field position that enabled the elite signal-caller to hit the ground running.
There are plenty of mouths to feed in Kansas City from a target standpoint. So Pringle would be settling for a lesser role if he sticks around.
However, with Curtis Samuel more than likely leaving the Carolina Panthers this spring, Pringle brings a lot of similar skills to the table and would be an affordable option that will allow those in power to spend bigger at other key positional groups.