Chiefs Trade for Jets WR Mecole Hardman
Photo Credit: David Eulitt, Getty Images
Earlier in the week rumors were swirling around a potential reunion between defensive end Frank Clark and the Kansas City Chiefs. That reunion was put on hold for another reunion that took place first: wide receiver Mecole Hardman. He played four seasons for the Chiefs before he signed with the New York Jets in the offseason. Now, as the Chiefs have sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Jets for Hardman and a 2025 seventh-round pick, the Chiefs are getting back one of their guys.
In his four seasons with the Chiefs, Hardman recorded 151 catches for 2,088 yards as well as 16 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl selection. He was certainly not a focal point for the Chiefs offense that also featured Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, but he was a gadget guy that knew the offense well.
This success did not translate over to his brief time with the Jets, however, as Hardman only caught one pass for six yards on three targets in five games this season. This led to Hardman expressing his frustration and discontent within the Jets’ offense, saying in an interview to ESPN,
"I'm probably the best in the league in space. Maybe [the coaches] see something different. I'm just waiting for the opportunity to present itself. I think when I was in KC, I proved that I was probably the most dangerous guy on the jet sweep or whether it be on the end around or on the screen. I think I proved year-out that I was that guy that you had to worry about doing that."
Hardman will surely not have to worry about getting his touches now that he is back in the Chiefs’ offensive scheme, but what does this mean for the Chiefs going forward? The team will certainly see more production at the WR position moving forward. The receivers have probably been the position group that has struggled the most this season, simply because the group is young and inexperienced. Consistency has been hard to come by for the Chiefs’ offense this season, but this is a consistency that Hardman will certainly bring.
Do not expect Hardman to come in and be a Tyreek Hill or a Justin Jefferson type of player in terms of his stats and wow plays, but his impact could be felt just the same by the Chiefs. Hardman will bring in veteran experience and mentorship for the young guys while also being a reliable target that knows the offense well. Hardman will be an instant starter that could help to be a security blanket for Mahomes, as their chemistry has already been built. In other words, the Mecole Hardman trade was cheap, easy, and gives the Chiefs just what they need to be a better football team.
