GREEN BAY, Wis. – On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers and wide receiver Mecole Hardman finalized a one-year deal. This development, initially reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, was later verified by a source. Hardman, who celebrated his 27th birthday on March 12, seems poised to make a significant impact in Green Bay, potentially playing a larger role than in recent years.
With his skills as not only a receiver but also a return specialist and jet-sweep runner, he promises to be a dynamic asset for coach Matt LaFleur. Drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, Hardman initially appeared to be a rising talent. As a rookie, he made it to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro, achieving an average of 26.1 yards per kickoff return, which included a 104-yard touchdown, 9.3 yards per punt return, and 20.7 yards on 26 receptions.
His offensive output improved to 41 receptions for 560 yards (13.7 average) and four touchdowns in 2020, and 59 catches for 693 yards (11.7 average) with two touchdowns in 2021. In 2022, an abdominal injury limited his play to eight games, where he recorded 25 receptions for 297 yards and four touchdowns. Hardman joined the Jets as a free agent in 2023 but had a brief stint in New York. After five games, he was traded back to the Chiefs.
During his six games with the Chiefs, he caught 15 passes and scored the decisive touchdown in the Super Bowl against the 49ers. This marked one of his three touchdowns in 14 career playoff appearances. “I’ve played alongside Mecole for quite some time,” noted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes following the Super Bowl victory. “He’s always prepared for big moments, consistently works hard in practice, and improves.
Our receiver rotation involved many players throughout the year, and they all continued to put in the effort. Just like in the last Super Bowl, you can’t predict who will step up, but it’s about everyone being ready for their opportunity, and Mecole seized his with a few critical plays.” Hardman returned to the Chiefs in 2024, where he played 12 games, catching 12 passes for 90 yards before a knee injury ended his season, sidelining him for the playoffs.
His influence waned each season, with his yards per catch declining from 20.7 as a rookie to 8.3 in 2023 and 7.5 in 2024. Across six NFL seasons, he has a career drop rate of 7.8 percent, which is high, though he recorded no drops in 2024’s limited action and only three drops in 2021 when he had a career-best 59 catches. Despite his exceptional speed, he hasn’t been heavily utilized in deep plays.
Instead, he has been relied upon to convert short passes into substantial gains, with nearly two-thirds of his career receiving yards coming after the catch. In 2024, he even had more yards after the catch (101) than total receiving yards (90). Throughout six seasons, he has averaged an impressive 8.2 yards after the catch.
“He brings positive energy, and it’s great to have him back,” stated Chiefs coach Andy Reid after Hardman’s 2024 return. “We have a good understanding of how to utilize Mecole effectively, and he understands that too. He’s smart, learns quickly, and though he’s not the largest player, his speed is a valuable asset. We appreciate those dynamic elements.”
