National media outlet says 'under-the-radar' Chicago Bears player could be a star in 2022
CBS Sports thinks there's an "under-the-radar" player on the Chicago Bears' roster that could end up being a star in 2022. Patrik Walker, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, suggested recently that wide receiver Byron Pringle could have a big year for the Bears this upcoming season. Pringle, who spent the first four years of […]
CBS Sports thinks there's an "under-the-radar" player on the Chicago Bears' roster that could end up being a star in 2022.
Patrik Walker, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, suggested recently that wide receiver Byron Pringle could have a big year for the Bears this upcoming season.
Pringle, who spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a one-year free-agent deal with Chicago earlier this offseason.
Let's be honest in admitting that the Kansas City Chiefs probably wish Pringle was still on the roster, especially after having traded away All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Instead, Pringle is readying to suit up for the Bears and, as such, has a very real shot at becoming a (if not the) top receiving weapon for former first-round pick Justin Fields. No Allen Robinson means Pringle enters with a shot to earn the role of WR1, and his exit from Kansas City was laced with fireworks offensively — finishing with career-highs in both receiving yards (568) and receiving touchdowns (5) while catching 72% of everything thrown his way since entering the league in 2019. When it comes to Pringle, once Fields pops, he won't be able to stop.
Pringle hasn't put up big numbers so far in the NFL, but that's mostly been because he was fighting superstars like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce for targets in Kansas City. When you're playing behind those two perennial Pro-Bowlers, it's hard to get many targets.
The former Kansas State standout, however, showed last season in limited opportunities that he can be a productive NFL wide receiver. Pringle caught 42 passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns. Modest numbers at best. But again, Pringle was playing behind Hill and Kelce (and Mecole Hardman).
If Pringle can quickly build chemistry with Bears quarterback Justin Fields, he could have a breakout season in 2022. Pringle could end up being one of the best free-agent signings of the offseason if he delivers on CBS Sports' prediction.
Featured image via Ashlee Rexin – Chicago Sun Times
