The moves around the NFL never stop, and on Tuesday, former Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman got released.
According to Packers writer Paul Bretl, Green Bay released Hardman from the practice squad and added Jakobie Keeney-James to the taxi squad in the process.
Packers Released Mecole Hardman on Tuesday
This is the second time this year that the Packers parted ways with Hardman. After signing a one-year deal with them in March, he was on the team throughout spring and summer workouts before getting cut in late August. They decided to bring him back onto the practice squad shortly after but decided they didn't have a need for him anymore.
That's tough considering they already have Jayden Reed and Christian Watson on IR. This move shows that Hardman didn't have the chance to get elevated to the active roster, even as a return man. This past preseason, he had three catches (eight targets) for 30 yards and one drop. He fielded four punts for 20 yards but muffed one.
Although Hardman still has the speed that makes him a dangerous weapon, he has failed to carve out a spot outside of Kansas City. Back in 2023, he had a short five-game stint with the New York Jets, where he had one catch for six yards. The Chiefs ended up acquiring Hardman back via trade, and he finished the season out there.
In 75 career games (28 starts) with the Chiefs, he has reeled in 177 passes for 2,296 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns, and 13 yards per reception. He even had some juice as a returner. The Georgia product has 819 punt return yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, as a kick return, Hardman has 1,073 kickoff yards, one score, and 23.8 yards per return.
He showed the ability to be a depth WR and quality return man when playing for the Chiefs, yet he couldn't capture that sort of success anywhere else. His release from Green Bay is just the latest example of that.
This marks the second team that Hardman failed to make an impact on. Whether or not the Chiefs bring him back once again remains to be seen. Xavier Worthy is still missing time with his shoulder injury, and Rashee Rice is suspended for another three games.
It'll be interesting to see if KC kicks the tires on Hardman again. If not, Chiefs fans will keep an eye on where their former playmaker lands in 2025.