Could Giants’ OC Mike Kafka re-unite with Chiefs free agent wide receiver?

byron pringle, giants, chiefs

The New York Giants entered the 2021 season comfortable with the wide receiver position. But just one year later, the position again looks like a need that Joe Schoen has to address. Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton underperformed in 2021 while Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard struggled to stay healthy. With new offensive coordinator Mike Kafka coming over from Kansas City to take over the Giants’ offense in 2022, he could look to bring some Chiefs wide receiver depth with him in Byron Pringle.

Why the New York Giants might be interested in Byron Pringle

The Giants are in need of some depth at wide receiver. Sterling Shepard is a cut-candidate this offseason, which would thin out New York’s wide receiver corps ever further. Additionally, the Giants’ other receivers, Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and Kadarius Toney, have all struggled with injuries in the past. It is necessary for the Giants to add pass-catching depth to their roster this offseason.

Byron Pringle could be a perfect fit for the Giants in free agency. Pringle spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs but is set to be a free agent this offseason. After going undrafted in 2018, Pringle signed with the Chiefs and developed into a solid contributor. This offseason, the Giants hired former Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Kafka as their next offensive coordinator. This connection between Kafka and Pringle could give the Giants some interest in the speedy wide receiver.

What Byron Pringle brings to the table

As an undrafted rookie, Byron Pringle’s career got off to a slow start. Pringle joined the Chiefs in 2018, suffered an injury, and was placed on injured reserve for his entire rookie season. Byron managed to bounce back and spend time both on Kansas City’s practice squad and 53-man roster in 2019. He showed some potential in Week 5, where he finished with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs lost 13–19 against the Colts.

2020 saw Byron Pringle deal with some injuries. He missed three total games with an ankle injury but Pringle contributed when he was available. Byron showed his value as a special teams player, scoring a kickoff return touchdown in Week 7. He finished the 2020 season with 13 receptions for 160 yards and 1 touchdown.

Byron Pringle had a breakout in 2021. By far the best season of his career, Pringle established himself as an excellent depth piece recording 42 total receptions for 568 yards and 5 touchdowns this past year. He also scored 3 touchdowns in this year’s postseason.

Pringle was not perfect for the Chiefs, though. He managed to play 49% of the team’s offensive snaps but he also managed to drop 4 passes and was second on the team in percentage of dropped passes (6.7%).

At 28-years-old, Byron Pringle would be a solid veteran signing for the Giants. His experience in the Kansas City Chiefs offense should make him a perfect fit with Mike Kafka and the Giants. Pringle’s contract should be affordable for the cap-tight Giants. Byron Pringle is a depth piece that the New York Giants should focus in on this offseason.