When the Chicago Bears signed Akiem Hicks in 2016, they got him for a modest $10 million over two years. Most analysts felt it was a decent signing at the time. Hicks had played well for the New England Patriots the year prior and might be able to help their retooling defensive line. Then he racked up seven sacks and 17 QB hits in his first season, playing at a Pro Bowl level. Suddenly that contract the Bears got him for looked like thievery. There is a chance Byron Pringle may follow a similar path.
One reason for thinking this comes from their paths to reach this moment. Hicks had to fight his way into the starting lineup with the New Orleans Saints before getting traded to New England. He only played 399 snaps in 2015 but was still productive. Then his workload increased to 930 snaps the next year, and he took off. Pringle can be seen much the same way. He played 586 snaps at wide receiver last year. Nowhere close to the 926 Travis Kelce or the 867 Tyreek Hill played.
That is going to change in Chicago.
It is clear from how GM Ryan Poles spoke a few months ago that the Bears plan to feature Pringle prominently on offense. He’s already developing a strong connection with Justin Fields in practice. He managed 568 yards and five touchdowns on 586 snaps last season. Imagine what he might’ve accomplished with an extra 250-300 snaps. People might be talking about him with far more optimism than they have thus far.
He may not end up being the Pro Bowl-caliber player Hicks became, but there is every reason to think Pringle can play that #2 role behind Darnell Mooney in the Bears’ passing game. He’s an excellent slot option, at the very least, with the capability to play outside too, thanks to his sneaky speed.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Byron Pringle has plenty of motivation too.
Many people view him as nothing more than a solid secondary option made effective by a superstar quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Outside the Kansas City Chiefs umbrella, he is likely to flounder. Then there is the money issue. Remember, Pringle only signed a one-year deal worth $4.125 million this offseason with Chicago. At 28-years old, this is probably the last, best chance he will have to earn a significant payday.
So he’s plenty motivated to be far more than just what he was for the Chiefs. This is his first real chance to be a primary contributor in an offense during his NFL career. If he plays as he did in 2021 with more snaps to go around, it is possible he will finish with career-best numbers across the board. Enough to put him in the conversation among the better #2 receivers in the league.
He will look like a steal at that point.
Another sign that Poles knew what he was doing. Like Ryan Pace in 2016, he knew exactly the kind of player he was getting. Far more than any other GM in the league. Pace helped draft Hicks in 2012 for the Saints, don’t forget. Poles helped sign Pringle as an undrafted free agent in Kansas City. He had more information on the receiver than anybody else. That is why having high expectations isn’t unusual.
