WATCH: Commanders QB Sam Howell getting creative on 3rd down vs. Patriots

What a play from Sam Howell.

A new week, a new test for Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.

This time, it was the New England Patriots and their legendary head coach, Bill Belichick. Belichick is known for making life miserable for young quarterbacks. So, Washington knew protecting Howell, who had been sacked 41 times entering Week 9, was of the utmost priority.

With the Commanders leading 3-0, Howell faces heavy pressure on a third-and-7 deep in Washington territory. The type of pressure that makes you cover your eyes.

What does Howell do?

As Howell faces the pressure, instead of throwing the ball out of bounds, Howell, falling backward, heaves a ball to the middle of the field, and, somehow, wide receiver Byron Pringle is there. Pringle proceeds to pick up 26 yards on the play.

Check it out:

Backyard football, indeed.

 

5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Commanders

From Teven Jenkins rotating at guard, to Darnell Mooney’s revenge, here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Commanders.

The first prime-time matchup of the year for the Chicago Bears (0-4) is upon us as the team prepares to take on the Washington Commanders (2-2) on Thursday Night Football. Both teams are coming off crushing losses, as the Bears blew a 21-point lead to the Denver Broncos to lose 31-28.

The Commanders, meanwhile, lost a thrilling overtime game to their division rival Philadelphia Eagles, falling 34-31. It’s a get-right opportunity for one of these teams to get back in the win column and regroup after a mini-bye week.

Thursday Night Football is a unique brand, one that can feature sloppy play or incredible moments. Sometimes they’re one in the same, too. Here are our bold predictions for the opening game of Week 5.

Undrafted wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to make Commanders’ initial 53-man roster

The Commanders keep the undrafted rookie wideout.

Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was one of Washington’s priority signings after the 2023 NFL draft. Now, it looks like the undrafted rookie from Penn State will make the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster, according to John Keim of ESPN.

The competition for the final two — or three — wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster was competitive. Tinsley impressed throughout OTAs, training camp and the preseason. In the final preseason game against the Bengals, Tinsley caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The Commanders did not want to take the chance of losing Tinsley via a waiver claim.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington released fellow undrafted rookie wideout Kazmeir Allen. Allen has potential but is raw as a receiver and punt returner, and the Commanders would like to continue developing him on the practice squad.

While the final roster isn’t yet set, Dax Milne is also expected to make Washington’s roster for the third consecutive season. Veteran Byron Pringle is also expected to make Washington’s initial 53-man roster, which would mean seven wide receivers. Those numbers could change once cuts from all 32 teams are finalized.

Commanders signed former Chiefs RB Derrick Gore on Monday

Eric Bieniemy added another former #Chiefs standout to the #Commanders roster on Monday when Washington signed running back Derrick Gore.

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy added a familiar face to the Washington Commanders roster on Monday by signing talented running back Derrick Gore.

Gore, who was a free agent heading into training camp, was a member of Bieniemy’s offense in 2021 and a member of the Chiefs’ roster that season.

Bieniemy is looking to emulate Kansas City’s strategy for success in Washington in his first year as an NFL head coach and has added several former Chiefs to the team’s 90-man roster to compete for spots as the Commanders restructure their depth chart ahead of the 2023 season.

Gore joins former teammates Byron Pringle, Marcus Kemp, and Andrew Wylie in the Commanders’ offense, which should look drastically different with Bieniemy calling the shots.

Watch for Washington to take every page they can out of Andy Reid’s playbook over the course of the coming months as the Commanders look to rejuvenate their recently-sold franchise and return to relevance over the course of the next several years.

Former Chiefs Byron Pringle, Marcus Peters signed with new teams

Peters and Pringle were both teammates of #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earlier in their career, and each found new homes this week.

Two high-profile players from the Kansas City Chiefs’ past signed with new teams this week as talent from the exceptionally-deep free agency pool finds spots their spots on rosters around the NFL ahead of the 2023 season.

Cornerback Marcus Peters and wide receiver Byron Pringle both found new homes this week after remaining unsigned through the summer.

Peters last took the field for Kansas City during the Chiefs’ exceptional 2017 campaign, just a year before reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes took the reigns from legendary quarterback Alex Smith as Andy Reid’s signal-caller under center. The ninth-year cornerback signed with the Oakland Raiders on Monday after previously playing for the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.

Pringle hasn’t been so far removed from his time in Kansas City, and emerged as a coveted prospect after playing with Mahomes from 2018 until last season, when he signed with a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. He will reunite with former Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after signing another single season contract with the Washington Commanders.

Both talented players will have chances to contribute with their respective teams in the coming season, and while the Pringle won’t have to face Kansas City in competition over the course of his 2023 campaign, Peters will square off against the Chiefs twice if he makes the Raiders’ 53-man roster.

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Commanders sign wide receiver Byron Pringle

Washington adding some wide receiver depth ahead of training camp.

The Washington Commanders added depth to the wide receiver position just ahead of training camp Tuesday by signing veteran Byron Pringle.

Pringle, 29, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Kansas State in 2018, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pringle spent his first season on injured reserve.

In 2019, Pringle played in all 16 games, recording 12 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown. In 2020, he appeared in 13 games, making three starts and had 13 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown.

Pringle’s best season came in 2021. He played less special teams and more on offense and had 42 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns. Pringle signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent in 2022, where he played in 11 games with 10 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Pringle can help provide depth at wide receiver, where the Commanders could use another veteran. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are locked in as the top four wide receivers. Pringle will be in a battle with former Chiefs teammate Marcus Kemp, Dax Milne and young players Kazmeir Allen, Mitchell Tinsley and Kyric McGowan for likely two roster spots.

Allen is a favorite to return kicks and punts, something Milne did last year with little success.

The Commanders open training camp on Wednesday.

Grading the Bears 2022 free agency class

Ryan Poles made many low-risk moves for the Bears last year in free agency. Here’s how we graded his signings.

The 2023 free agency period is almost here and the Chicago Bears are sure to be active with what should be an exciting offseason. With the most available cap space in the NFL, the Bears should be able to pay top dollar to the free agent of their choice. It’s a big difference from where the team was last offseason during Ryan Poles’ first year as general manager.

Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus took a more conservative approach to free agency, focusing on quantity with one and two-year deals as they had to manage millions of dollars in dead cap. None of their 2022 signings broke the bank, ensuring they had plenty of flexibility this offseason after they had a chance to evaluate the team.

Now that nearly a full year has passed since last free agency began, we graded each significant free agent signing the Bears made in 2022.

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Have we seen the last of Byron Pringle?

Byron Pringle was the Bears’ top wide receiver acquisition last offseason, but he didn’t exactly live up to expectations.

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Next up is wide receiver Byron Pringle, who didn’t have nearly the production many expected after being the team’s top wide receiver acquisition last offseason.

8 pending free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears shouldn’t re-sign in 2023.

The offseason is in full swing, and we’re just over a month away from the start of the new league year and free agency. And the Bears have some important decisions to make when it comes to in-house free agents.

The Bears are slated to have nearly $98.6 million in salary cap space — which is the most in the league (by a wide margin) — and there are plenty of holes to fill on the roster for new general manager Ryan Poles. Perhaps a few of those roster spots will be filled by some of Chicago’s in-house free agents, including some key contributors from last season that could be back as starters or reserves.

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023.

Browns free agency: What options make sense at wide receiver?

Are there answers to the position in free agency?

There have been limitations for the offense of the Cleveland Browns for several years with their lack of ability to stretch a defense vertically consistently. The free agent class at the position isn’t a deep one or good overall, especially for the type of player the Browns need (and Josh Gordon isn’t leaving the XFL to come back in the doors anytime soon). They have got to find someone that can do what they drafted Anthony Schwartz to do which he hasn’t been able to accomplish.

However, there are a few cost-effective options for the team that come with some risk but also plenty of reward chances. Overall the Browns should look to fill their need in the draft as the free agent class is weak. Let’s take a look at three players that could make sense for the Browns next month.