4 Chiefs Playing Their Last Game With the Team in Super Bowl

3. Mecole Hardman - WR

Brett Veach let Hardman walk last offseason before bringing him back in a mid-season trade, but nothing Hardman has done truly indicates the Chiefs should prioritize keeping him.

He notably didn't even try to catch a pair of deep passes from Patrick Mahomes in recent weeks and narrowly avoided disaster when he fumbled through the end zone against the Bills. To make matters worse, that was his second fumble in as many touches that game.

Hardman had only one snap in the AFC Championship game, likely indicating the Chiefs have decided to move on.

Now, Travis Kelce did take the blame for Hardman's fumble in the Divisional Round, but Hardman has seen limited playing time anyway. If you remove his strong Week 18 performance in which the Chiefs were resting starters, he had just nine catches for 47 yards on the entire season.

Hardman is still a dynamic kick returner and one of the fastest players in the league, but it seems obvious this relationship has run its course.

I'll fondly remember Hardman and the energy he brought to the sidelines, though it makes too much sense to move on for the Chiefs to keep him. After receiving limited interest in free agency last year, he'll likely need to sign a one-year deal somewhere to prove he belongs in the league much longer.

This last player is also much-maligned, though he's surged in recent weeks to ensure he'll be on someone's roster next year.