Film Session: Will Byron Pringle Play a Significant Role in the Commanders Offense in 2023?

With a new season of Washington Commanders football right around the corner, I wanted to look at a player who’s new to the burgundy and gold but not Eric Bieniemy or his system. With that in mind, in the newest episode of “Watchin’ Film With Phil,” the All-22 coaches film review show I host on YouTube, I look into Byron Pringle’s time in Kansas City.

This year, you can expect weekly film sessions here and over on my website, HTTR4LIFE.com.

Pringle has History With Eric Bieniemy

Byron Pringle was a receiver on the rise in his three years in Kansas City after being signed as a UDFA in 2019. In his last year with the Chiefs, he caught 42 passes (on 60 targets) for 568 yards and five touchdowns as the team’s fourth option on the depth chart. In 2022, Pringle signed with the Chicago Bears and proceeded to have a 10-catch, 135-yard disappointment of a season in which an injured quad kept him sidelined for seven games.

In Washington, Pringle finds himself caught knee-deep in a WR position battle where the depth chart is already set up to the 4^th or 5th spot on a team rebuilding its offense from the ground up. That means his main competition will come from players like Dax Milne, Marcus Kemp, and Kazmeir Allen, just to name three.

One of the main observations I had looking over Pringle’s 2021 game film was his deceptive speed and ability to turn a small gain into a long run with just a few moves. That type of potential YAC is something Washington desperately needs. Add him to a room with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuels, and Dyami Brown, and you should see more points on the scoreboard this fall.

Check out the latest installment of Watchin’ Film With Phil below, and don’t forget to subscribe.

Below is a time-stamped recap of the video:

• 0:04 - 0:32: I talk a little bit about how the focus of the video is on WR Byron Pringle, who is expected to put pressure on the middle-to-bottom area of Washington’s receiver depth chart.
• 0:32 - 0:44: I give a little overview of Pringle’s career, including his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and his disappointing year with Chicago in 2022.
• 0:49 - 1:40: I look at some examples of Pringle’s ability to make plays out of nothing using his deceptive speed and shiftiness, highlighting his potential threat to other players on the depth chart.
• 1:41 - 2:52: A little discussion on Pringle’s fit within the Chiefs offensive system and excitement about the team’s potential goal-line attack.
• 2:52 - 3:44: Talk about Pringle’s ability to make plays, his never-give-up approach while running routes, and his potential fit within the offensive system.
• 3:45 - 5:00: Some talk about Pringle’s ability to get the ball and just take off with it and make things happen. I also talk a little bit about thinking Eric Bieniemy was probably excited when the team got the chance to sign Pringle, given their history.
• 5:44 - 6:40: A little talk about the Chiefs offense with an example of some slight trickery that involved Pringle at the goal line.
• 6:41 - 7:30: I talk about Pringle’s ability to make catches and hold onto the ball, emphasizing his potential to make clutch plays. Also, talk about hoping Sam Howell can get used to the offense quickly because I believe he’ll do well in it.
• 7:31 - 9:00: I talk about Pringle’s ability to move around on passing routes and come back to the ball. I also talked about his want to fight for the ball and more yards. He’s also not afraid to go across the middle.
• 10:09 - 10:26: I talk about his ability to take hits and still move the chains. I also said the line, “Dax Milne better be afraid.”
• 10:27 - 11:21: Another look at Pringle’s abilities to get open near the goal line and make touchdowns, including a specific play with Travis Kelce. I also talked about how that play could very easily be one that Logan Thomas could pull off.
• 11:22 - 14:36: A closer look at Pringle’s inconsistent blocking ability, including examples of successful and unsuccessful plays where he whiffed or missed his block.
• 14:37 - 16:29: Final thoughts on Byron Pringle. Emphasis on his age, his short-term role as a plug-in piece, his possible kick return abilities, and his potential fit within the system. Discussion of the preseason and the interesting battles Pringle faces within the wide receiver room.

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