KC Chiefs benefit from holding all the leverage with Byron Pringle

When it comes to the list of upcoming free agents for the K.C. Chiefs, one name who receives very little attention is wide receiver Byron Pringle. That’s for good reason: the Chiefs hold absolutely all the leverage in the deal.

The reason no one discusses Pringle as a free agent is that he’s not hitting the same type of free agency that others like Bashaud Breeland or Sammy Watkins are. While the Chiefs have nearly two dozen unrestricted free agents to deal with, meaning they can sign with any team they want beginning in mid-March, Pringle is instead an exclusive rights free agent. It’s a good thing because the Chiefs might have a tougher time keeping him if not.

A recent story popped up identifying Pringle as a great fit for the Minnesota Vikings as a a young receiver and kick returner to help solve the franchise’s special teams woes. The headline itself was a bit of a shock since the idea of Pringle leaving for any other team has remained a foreign concept for most of Chiefs Kingdom. Yet on the surface, it is a possibility. Pringle is hitting free agency—at least of some kind.

Back to the exclusive rights thing. There are three types of free agents, and the Chiefs have all three to deal with this offseason. Unrestricted works just like it sounds. Players are without restriction on what they can do on the open market. The Chiefs must compete with every other team and any offer that comes the player’s way. That’s why teams work so hard to keep players from even reaching that point, because there’s zero leverage at that stage for the franchise.

The Chiefs are fortunate to hold all the leverage with Byron Pringle.

Restricted free agents can at least utilize a bit of leverage in the open market, but the leverage remains largely with the player’s franchise. Cornerback Charvarius Ward is scheduled to hit restricted free agency, as is offensive lineman Andrew Wylie. Both players are free to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Chiefs will have the right of first refusal on that deal. In addition, their respective free agent situations will be complicated by whatever tender offer the Chiefs choose to place upon them—which means opposing teams could be forced to part with a draft pick in exchange for signing that player away.

As for Pringle, he is an exclusive rights free agent, which means the Chiefs are the only team who can offer him a deal at this point. Now, if the Chiefs did not want Pringle to return next season for some reason or another, they would simply pass on his rights and that would make him subject to waivers. Pringle has not yet earned enough playing time at the pro level to qualify for unrestricted free agent status yet, so any desire on the part of the Vikings or another team to sign Pringle is strictly about whether or not the Chiefs want him first.

All of this is a very good thing considering how good Pringle looked last season. He was a dynamic returner with a 102-yard touchdown to his credit and plenty of other longer attempts. He’s also played with the sort of heart and competitive nature that could make him a solid breakout candidate if the Chiefs lose a few receivers to free agency as expected—including Watkins and Demarcus Robinson.

The Chiefs are not only fortunate to have Pringle but they’re also lucky to have all the leverage at this point. Otherwise, we might be worried about losing him, too, for the 2021 season.