Mecole Hardman has found a new home in free agency. The hope is that things go better this time around.
The Green Bay Packers have reportedly offered Hardman a one-year deal, per NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.
Hardman hit free agency two years ago and signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets only to find himself quickly benched and without a role early in the season. The Chiefs took advantage of his dwindling stock and traded back for him at the NFL's midseason deadline in order to bolster the wide receiving corps and special teams.
Mecole Hardman has the chance to help the Packers in myriad ways in 2025.
After Hardman aided the team's second-consecutive Super Bowl run, the team decided to bring him back on another one-year deal in free agency last year. However, Hardman was used sparingly on offense despite being a reliable performer on special teams as a returner—primarily on punts with a 10.2 yards/return average.
The Packers now have a proven option on special teams to go with Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed. Hardman could also find his way into the mix at wideout alongside Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Reed, Malik Heath, and Dontayvion Wicks, among others.
Originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Hardman has largely served in a gadget role for Andy Reid’s offense. As a rookie, he earned Pro Bowl honors as a return specialist and has been a critical component in playoff runs. That includes making the game-winning touchdown reception in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
In parts of six seasons with the Chiefs, Hardman had 177 receptions for 2,296 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns for the team that drafted him.