Mecole Hardman's days with Chiefs might be done but other NFL teams will come calling

Throughout the past six seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have formed one of the most dominant dynasties in NFL (and major league sports) history, with the help of countless players and coaches. But one name will forever be synonymous with the Super Bowl rings and the celebrations—one that was there at the beginning and has ridden the roller coaster up to this point: Mecole Hardman.

Hardman, who was drafted back in 2019 out of Georgia as a quick-trigger decision to replace Tyreek Hill during a legal dispute, will forever be one of the few faces of the Chiefs' dominance. This is due to his wide-open, game-sealing overtime touchdown (below) to secure his third Super Bowl ring in five seasons, but also because of how integral he was in key moments between the first and final games of every season.

That catch in Super Bowl LVIII would cement Hardman in Chiefs history, and although he was wearing number 12 during the biggest catch of his career—up to this point—the number 17 will forever bring back fond memories of a dynasty that would not be alive without the former Bulldog's speed and versatility in Andy Reid's offense.

But all those memories that will forever bring a smile to Chiefs Kingdom appear to be in the rearview mirror for Hardman. That's because he is once again entering free agency this offseason, hoping that the injury bug, which has plagued him over the years, won't keep him from playing in more postseason thrillers somewhere else.

Hardman is likely done in K.C.

Even though Coach Reid is known for bringing back declining players due to comfortability and familiarity in the complex offense (Google "Demarcus Robinson" and "Clyde Edwards-Helaire"), this feels like the perfect time to cut the cord with Hardman.

Yes, the Chiefs and Hardman feel like a connection attached at the hip—that much is true. But after Patrick Mahomes showed once again that he can lead a team to the Super Bowl no matter who is catching the ball, it feels like Hardman is no longer a viable third, fourth, or even fifth option in this offense.

Even though the wide receiver corps has some question marks coming into the offseason—Will Hollywood Brown re-sign? Will DeAndre Hopkins return? What will happen with Rashee Rice's suspension?—Hardman feels like the odd man out, no matter who is on the depth chart to start the 2025 season.

This feels even more true than the beginning of last season when Hardman signed a one-year deal worth a measly $1.125 million after failing to do anything in free agency following his Super Bowl-clenching catch. All of this came after a failed attempt at success outside of Kansas City during his short stint as a New York Jet, which yielded more healthy scratches (3) than catches (1).

It all points to Hardman once again testing out free agency, hoping any team will take a swing on a soon-to-be 27-year-old who has dealt with thumb and knee injuries this past season, as well as a serious groin injury that put him on IR before surgery just two years ago. Add in the fact that Nikko Remigio locked up the kick/punt return spot, and Hardman suddenly doesn't have a place on this depth chart, even if Hopkins, "Hollywood," and JuJu Smith-Schuster all fail to return next season.

Where could Hardman fit elsewhere in the NFL?

It's not entirely over for the three-time Super Bowl champion, even if this article has skewed negatively up to this point. Hardman is still a strong competitor who has some gas left in the tank, especially when he has space to accelerate, like in the return game—something he showed as recently as October when the team beat San Francisco on their home turf.

So with his skill set largely built around getting him into open space, whether that be on jet sweeps or simply in the return game, where could he do the most damage in 2025?

For starters, the Minnesota Vikings. Despite their surprisingly stellar season this past year, the Vikings ranked dead last in punt return yards (164), average yards per return (6.4), and were the only team in the league to not have 16 or more yards on any punt return all season long.

Not only could Minnesota desperately utilize him in the return game, but they could pair him well alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, using the two big receivers downfield to allow Hardman room underneath on crossing routes and in the screen game.

Another team that could quietly snatch Hardman and give him a big boost is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did Chris Godwin suffer yet another season-ending leg injury, but he did so before becoming a free agent, meaning he may not be there to pair alongside future Hall of Famer Mike Evans.

Also, according to the same metrics that put Minnesota at the bottom of the return game rankings, Tampa Bay was the third-worst team in the league when it came to punt returns. They also ranked eighth-worst in kick returns, with just 26.3 yards per return in the first year with the new "Dynamic Kickoff" rules.

One final team that could use Hardman is the lowly New Orleans Saints. They are hemorrhaging money over the salary cap ($47.2 million, to be exact), they have a youthful new head coach, and for the last few years, they have been collecting former Chiefs like a teenager collecting Pokémon cards.

Don't believe me? Currently, New Orleans is paying the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Khalen Saunders, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Willie Gay Jr., and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Not to mention, they recently cut former Chiefs players Daniel Sorensen (2023), Cameron Erving (2023), and Yasir Durant (2022).

This could be the best spot for Hardman, as the expectations would be low, especially in a lame-duck season for QB Derek Carr that will also likely see them cut or trade almost all of their expensive key players (i.e., Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, Chris Olave). Hardman could put up a few hundred yards easily with the right offensive scheme—or even just a few solid blockers on bubble screens—no matter who is throwing the ball in New Orleans. But with the lack of offensive firepower around him, he could become more than "just another guy" on the team.

After Veach and Reid finally allowed Edwards-Helaire a chance to find success elsewhere, it would appear that maybe they are done bringing back familiar faces just to keep the revolving door from revolving. Success stories have been found all throughout the NFL from former KC players, just look at Demarcus Robinson in Los Angeles and Tyreek Hill in Miami. So perhaps Hardman could continue that trend?

Although Chiefs Kingdom will forever be grateful for #17—and especially for #12 when the game came down to the wire in Las Vegas last February—it seems right that Hardman finds the exit this offseason. And it's only right that the Chiefs do it as painlessly and as honorably as they can for one of the few players to see all three Chiefs Super Bowls during this dynastic run.