Mecole Hardman insists no rules were broken ahead of trade to Chiefs after scathing Jets interview goes viral
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman caused quite the stir on Tuesday.While appearing on ESPN analyst Ryan Clark's The Pivot Podcast, Hardman touched on a number of topics about his time with the New York Jets in 2023. He started by telling Clark that he refused to return punts during the Jets' Week 4 matchup […]
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman caused quite the stir on Tuesday.
While appearing on ESPN analyst Ryan Clark's The Pivot Podcast, Hardman touched on a number of topics about his time with the New York Jets in 2023. He started by telling Clark that he refused to return punts during the Jets' Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs because of a rift between him and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, and because he was nursing a finger injury.
Hardman then went on to say that the Jets' offensive had no standards, and everything revolved around what quarterback Aaron Rodgers wanted to do. Hardman said he was handled wrong and was lied to about a number of things despite feeling as though he was the best receiver on the team next to Garrett Wilson.
Then Hardman would say something that would raise some eyebrows.
"I was so checked out, like, it was over with," Hardman said. "I had already talked to (Chiefs general manager Brett) Veach and (quarterback) Pat (Mahomes), like, come get me."
That quote garnered a lot of attention because if Hardman and Veach were talking about Hardman returning to K.C. without permission to do so, it would violate the league's tampering policy. If that was the case, the Chiefs would be disciplined by the NFL, likely via a stiff fine and being stripped one or multiple draft picks.
Hardman took to Twitter (X) on Tuesday night to clear the air about his comments, saying that he never spoke to the Chiefs before being traded.
Hardman's lips may have been a little too loose during this interview. It would not be surprising if the league looks into the situation, as they have very little sense of humor when it comes to tampering. It's certainly possible that Hardman simply misspoke, but expect the NFL to do its due diligence with the situation.
