The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to reuniting with former players who once made an impact on the team, as perfectly evidenced by the trade for beloved community member Derrick Nnadi earlier this week.
Roster cutdown day always brings surprises, and that's often especially true when dealing with former players. If the right opportunity presents itself, then the front office, led by general manager Brett Veach, typically pounces.
Well, two ex-Chiefs playoff heroes have been released and despite Kansas City's potential desires, it'd be a massive mistake to bring either one of them back
The #Packers have released WR Mecole Hardman, per @Schultz_Report.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 26, 2025
The 3x Super Bowl champion was signed to a 1-year, $1.5M deal this offseason. pic.twitter.com/8jyYrSRFoC
The #Seahawks released veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2025
Chiefs Would Be Wise to Avoid Two Reunions with Former Playoff Hero WRs
In reports by NFL insider Jordan Shultz and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Green Bay Packers released Mecole Hardman, and the Seattle Seahawks said goodbye to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. We saw an example in 2024 of the Chiefs reacquiring Hardman in a trade, and while that paid off in the end with a Super Bowl appearance, Kansas City can't afford to make the same mistake.
Last year, the organization was dealing with injuries to Rashee Rice and Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown while simultaneously trying to bring Xavier Worthy up to speed. It wasn't a good wide receiver room, but the 2025 outfit looks much more capable. Between Rice (who will likely still be suspended), Brown, Worthy, Jalen Royals, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Nikko Remigio, this is a strong unit.
It may be the deepest receiver room that Patrick Mahomes has ever had, so what's the point in bringing back two players whom Veach already decided he didn't want around?
Hardman and Valdes-Scantling have both had significant moments. Just two years ago, the latter caught the game-sealing pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship, then two weeks later, Hardman caught a game-winning TD for a Lombardi Trophy. There's no question that both of those guys were loved in the locker room and made significant contributions to this dynastic run. Either way, it's time to move on and focus on the other parts of the roster.
Re-signing either of these two would require cutting someone like Thornton or Remigio, and that just can't happen at this stage. Hardman and Valdes-Scantling had their moments in the Kansas City sun, and now it's time to move on. Both of them belong in the NFL, yet Veach has already found their replacements, and the Chiefs are in a better place now.
Despite whatever speculation you may hear, just know that neither player is returning to the organization.