Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman will always be remembered as a legend in the Kingdom as a three-time Super Bowl champion who caught the game-winning TD against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
That said, the organization made its feelings on Hardman clear over the last two offseasons, declining to retain him either time despite bringing him back via trade during the 2024 campaign. Regardless, it's hard to argue that his tenure with the Green Bay Packers is off to a swimming start.
Hardman felt like he was on thin ice the second he signed a cheap one-year deal in Green Bay, and while the coaching staff has sung his praises, actions speak louder than words. Unfortunately for Hardman, he's fighting an uphill battle to even break training camp with the 53-man roster this fall.
Former Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman May Not Even Make Packers Roster
It may sound harsh to say that Hardman is off to a nightmare beginning to his Packers career, though it's an easy case to make once you look deeper.
Green Bay's selection of Texas star Matthew Golden in the first round was an organizational declaration in the 2025 NFL Draft. He's already ingratiated himself into the franchise, and his ascension complicates matters for Hardman.
Christian Watson will miss most of the regular season recovering from an ACL tear, though Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and Golden are all firmly ahead of the 27-year-old speedster. After that, Bo Melton, Golden's fellow rookie Savion Williams, and Malik Heath are likely ahead as well. At the very least, we know that Williams is based on draft capital.
That means Hardman is competing with a pair of players in Melton and Heath who have familiarity with the system. It wouldn't surprise any Chiefs fan to see Hardman cut and come back to Kansas City in the fall, and that's largely because the Packers have already begun the process of replacing him.
Hardman still has value on special teams, though his struggles in his final years with the Chiefs were obvious for all to see. Should he fail to break camp, he'll likely have a spot back in Kansas City pending potential injuries, though his career is looking shaky at this point in the process.