The Kansas City Chiefs already boasted the NFL’s best offense, but rookie wideout Mecole Hardman is going to add a speedy new wrinkle.
The official time was 11:45 to go in the second quarter. That was the moment when the rest of the National Football League knew they were in more trouble than initially feared—at least for any team scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
Just a few minutes into the second quarter, Chiefs rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman took a pitch from the 21-yard line against the Cincinnati Bengals and ran it in for a score, allowing his top-tier speed to eliminate any and all angles for a potential tackle on the second and third levels of the defense.
“Whenever your number is called, you’re going to make the best of it,” said Hardman to reporters after the game. “When they called my number, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna try to get in that end zone.’ Then it happened, so I’m happy for it.”
1️⃣7️⃣ making it look easy! 😱#CINvsKC 📺: KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/cGPCc2cbtA
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 11, 2019
For Hardman, it was confirmation of what he knew he could do—and what he’s always done—at the highest level.
“It’s football. The speed is faster, but as long as you prepare mentally, you’ll be just fine. That’s how I approach the situation,” he said.
Unfortunately for future Chiefs opponents, it’s also confirmation that the league’s best offense just got another wrinkle that makes them impossible to defend. Patrick Mahomes, the league’s reigning MVP, already has a franchise record-setter in Tyreek Hill, the best tight end in football in Travis Kelce, a great No. 2 in Sammy Watkins and a loaded backfield as potential targets. Add in the speed of Hardman and it’s total guesswork for a defense on who to guard.
For Hardman, it was an important first step, but he’s also hungry to build on that experience and show what he can do with consistency.
“It was good to get my feet wet. Just got to have my first game and I really enjoyed it. Just gotta keep working and get better every day,” said Hardman.
Hardman had 35 catches for 543 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns for the Georgia Bulldogs last season.