Best kick return options for Kansas City Chiefs in 2022

The Kansas City Chiefs moved on from Byron Pringle, their primary kick returner in 2021. Who are the top options to replace him in 2022?

The Kansas City Chiefs are not strangers to dynamic return men. Tyreek Hill, Dante Hall, and Tamarick Vanover are just some of the franchise’s explosive examples. The Chiefs kick return game was okay in 2021, with wide receiver Byron Pringle leading the charge. He had 25 of Kansas City’s 30 kick returns, averaging 24.8 yards per return. He did not log a return touchdown in 2021 but had his first in 2020.

Pringle’s departure is just one of several special-team cornerstones gone after the 2021 season. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub lost four of his top five special teams players, according to 2021 snap counts. Toub is looking to the 2022 rookie class for replacements, arguably giving some rookies a 53-man roster golden ticket. Toub’s focus was squarely on the rookies heading into the preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears.

"“I want to see all the rookies,” Toub said on Aug. 10. “I want to see guys like [safety] [Bryan] Cook. I want to see him cover… I want to see Justin Watson, the wide receiver. Jaylen Watson, the corners, Nazeeh Johnson, every one of those defensive guys."

The rookies did not disappoint playing against the Bears. Led by Cook, linebacker Jack Cochrane, and cornerback Jaylen Watson, several rookies had prominent roles on the special teams. While the second preseason game against the Washington Commandes will provide further roster clarification, most of the rookie class can fill a special teams role.

Specifically, the Chiefs kick returner job is up for grabs. Four different Chiefs returned kicks against the Bears, furthering the position’s competition. Toub has made his favorite pick publicly known, but how do Kansas City’s four kick return options rank?