The Kansas City Chiefs had to make some brutal choices at wide receiver this offseason. With the salary cap breathing down their neck, they had to let a few guys walk—Mecole Hardman being one of ’em.
Hardman was a second-round pick back in 2019, and for his first four years in KC, he was electric. Any time he touched the rock, it felt like he could take it to the crib. He was a home run threat every time he touched the ball, whether catching a pass, taking a jet sweep, or on returns.
He crossed the 500-yard mark in three of those seasons, with 2021 being his best year—59 grabs for 693 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
When free agency hit in 2023, Hardman packed his bags for the New York Jets, but that didn’t last long. Before Halloween rolled around, the Chiefs had traded to get him back. The only thing is, the reunion didn’t exactly set the world on fire.
Injuries have slowed him down big time. He’s suited up for just 18 games the past season and a half, and this offseason, the Chiefs let him walk again in free agency. That’s when the Packers swooped in, hoping he could give their offense some juice.
At first, it looked like a smart fit. With Christian Watson rehabbing his ACL, Hardman’s speed was just what the doctor ordered. He was in line to be WR4 and help take the top off defenses.
But then the draft changed everything for Hardman and other receivers at the bottom of the depth chart.
The Packers finally did what fans have been begging for forever and spent a first-round pick on a wideout, grabbing Matthew Golden out of Texas. They didn’t stop there, also picking Savion Williams out of TCU in the third round.
Golden will compete for a starting wide receiver spot, while Williams will likely be battling with Hardman and others for snaps with the second unit.
Those additions leave Hardman on the outside looking in for a roster spot. He now falls down the depth chart and will have to compete for a roster spot at this point.
He did his thing at minicamp, catching a 70-yard touchdown pass to end one practice. However, he’s got a mountain to climb if he wants to cement his job.
Hardman’s only 27, but you gotta wonder how much gas is left in the tank. If he’s already running on fumes, the Packers could do him a solid and send him packing before camp even opens.