Report: Chiefs tender wide receiver Byron Pringle

The Kansas City Chiefs have tendered wide receiver Byron Pringle as a restricted free agent, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s an original-round tender, according to Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star, meaning Pringle is due to earn $2.18 million for the 2021 season — and the Chiefs keep the right to match if Pringle receives an offer from another team.

The Chiefs acquired Pringle, 27, as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft. After spending the 2018 campaign on injured reserve, Pringle compiled 25 catches for 330 and two touchdowns over the past two seasons. With the Chiefs being wide receiver-rich, Pringle’s offensive playing time has been limited to spot starts, but he has risen to the occasion when called upon — like in Week 5 of 2019, when he had a career-high 103 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.

A strong and willing special teamer in coordinator Dave Toub’s unit, Pringle earned 10 kick-return opportunities in 2020, averaging 32.4 yards per return. Pringle’s high point as a returner was a a 102-yard touchdown in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos.

Now with Sammy Watkins likely out of the mix, Pringle is potentially primed to get his first look at significant offensive playing time.

“I think we’re all excited about the development of Byron Pringle,” said general manager Brett Veach back on March 1.