Chiefs May Have Just Picked One Playoff Hero Over Another

Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) returns a kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) returns a kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs have already made numerous impactful signings in free agency, adding notable players like Kristian Fulton while trading away a stalwart in Joe Thuney, losing Justin Reid in the process.

These are all significant moves, though a big topic of conversation has centered around what the organization intends to do at wide receiver. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy were guaranteed to be back and the team quickly signed Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, though major question marks remained behind them, particularly after the loss of veteran Justin Watson.

However, the Chiefs may have planted a flag in the sand by re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, as it could mean that former Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman won't be back in 2025.

Chiefs May Not Re-Sign Mecole Hardman After JuJu Smith-Schuster Contract

This is purely speculative, and it's possible that Kansas City values Hardman's clutch performances and ability on special teams enough to bring him back, though it's appearing less likely by the day.

Last season, the Chiefs let Hardman go to the New York Jets before trading for him in the middle of the year, and it feels like there should've been some traction by now if they intended to keep the man who caught the game-winning TD in the latest Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.

By prioritizing Smith-Schuster, Kansas City is telling you two things. First, that they believe that Smith-Schuster's much-maligned days of being consistently injured are behind him. Second, it suggests that they value his impact as a blocker in the run game over Hardman's gadget plays. Both are significant points, especially with an important 2025 NFL Draft just over one month away.

Smith-Schuster had the second-most receiving yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl win while being the player held by cornerback James Bradberry on the play that sealed the game. He also finished with the second-most yards in this year's Divisional Round victory against the Buffalo Bills. He doesn't have the same highlight that Hardman does, though he's arguably been more important.

We'll see what happens moving forward in free agency, but it appears that the Chiefs have an obvious priority list at one of the most important positions on the roster.

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