Mecole Hardman is going back to his hometown in 2023 after a laughably difficult start with his new squad. The Kansas City Chiefs acquired their former receiver from the New York Jets on Wednesday afternoon. A 6th round pick in 2025 was transferred to New York by the Chiefs. The Jets also traded a 7th-round pick in 2025 along with Hardman.
Hardman had a terrible year this time around. Zach Wilson assumed control of the Jets’ offense when Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury in Week 1 prevented him from catching passes from him.
Chiefs trading for WR Mecole Hardman. (via @JamesPalmerTV) pic.twitter.com/uz1TFQZ5PA
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2023
Hardman’s capacity as a deep danger over the top was seldom used for some strange reason. Hardman only had one reception for six yards in five games with the Jets. Hardman had 152 receptions for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns over the course of his four seasons with the Chiefs. The bunch of receivers for Kansas City hasn’t exactly been up to par this season. Patrick Mahomes seemed to be looking for a target he could trust, relying on rookies and journeymen.
Here comes Hardman, a man who is well familiar with Mahomes and his proclivities. Hardman will likely be used by the Chiefs as a returner as well as a peripheral receiver straight away.
A mock up of how Mecole Hardman will look in a Chiefs’ uniform: pic.twitter.com/fZLwKFYZOZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 18, 2023
The Chargers and Chiefs will meet at Arrowhead Stadium in four days. Hardman’s inclusion doesn’t make things better. One benefit is that adapting to an attack he is already familiar with won’t take much time. In addition, Hardman will probably want to demonstrate his abilities following such a disappointingly brief stay with the Jets.
