Chiefs’ special teams core returns intact: Our final Kansas City positional analysis
From return touchdowns to a handful of missed extra points, the Chiefs had shining and vexing moments on special teams in 2020.
But special teams coordinator Dave Toub got more good than bad from this group.
As the Chiefs turn attention to the business side of football before the start of the NFL’s new calendar year on March 17, we’re evaluating each of the team’s position groups.
The Star previously looked at the quarterbacks, offensive line, tight ends, wide receivers, running backs, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
Our review concludes here with a look at the Chiefs’ special teams.
2020 FINAL ROSTER (SPECIALISTS): Kicker Harrison Butker, punter Tommy Townsend, long snapper James Winchester
2020 FINAL ROSTER (RETURNERS): Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle
INJURED RESERVE: None
2021 FREE AGENTS: None
POSITION REVIEW
Butker started off the season with a bang, garnering AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors following an impressive performance in Week 2. He nailed three field goals, including a franchise-record 58-yarder in overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers.
While he finished the regular season converting on 25 of 27 field goal attempts, a career-high 92.6 percent of made kicks, and made all four attempts from 50 or more yards, Butker showed he was human when it came to points after touchdowns.
Butker entered 2020 with just eight missed extra points from 2017-19, averaging an impressive 96 percent conversion rate over that span. The 2020 season, however, saw the Chiefs kicker struggle at times from Weeks 2-9 — he missed six PATs before settling down in the second half of the season.
He finished 2020 connecting on 48 of 54 on extra-point attempts for a career-low 88.9 percent conversion rate.
Meanwhile, following last offseason’s release of Dustin Colquitt, the Chiefs ushered in a new punter for the first time since 2005. Rookie Tommy Townsend, an undrafted free agent out of Florida, won the job before the start of training camp and averaged 45 yards on 52 punt attempts, including landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Townsend also completed a pass on a fake punt for a first down.
Winchester wrapped up his sixth season as the team’s long-snapper and totaled three tackles on special teams.
RETURNERS
Hardman totaled 25 punt returns for 176 yards and a touchdown during the regular season, plus nine kickoff returns for 184 yards.
Pringle paced the kickoff returners with 10 returns for a team-high 324 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 102-yard effort against the Denver Broncos in Week 7. A core special teams contributor, Pringle also recorded two tackles.
With the Chiefs resting numerous players in Week 17 in advance of the postseason, backup cornerback Rashad Fenton had the opportunity to return kicks in the season finale and didn’t disappoint. Fenton produced 89 yards on three kickoff attempts.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Chiefs don’t have glaring needs among their specialists.
Butker, one of the NFL’s strongest kickers, is signed through the 2024 season; Townsend is under contract through 2022; and Winchester has one year remaining on his current deal.
Among the returners, Hardman is still under his rookie contact, which runs through the 2022 season. Pringle is an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason, but it would be shocking if the Chiefs didn’t tender him an offer.
The Chiefs recently brought back wide receiver Marcus Kemp, who contributed mostly on special teams last season, on a free-agent deal. Kemp’s return could help soften the blow of losing fullback and key special teams contributor Anthony Sherman, who recently announced his retirement via Twitter.
Linebacker Dorian O’Daniel, the Chiefs’ special teams ace, led the unit in tackles with seven in 2020 and returns in the final year of his rookie contract.
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?
No one.
