The Mecole Hardman experiment with the Jets might have had grand plans in an Aaron Rodgers lead offense, but in a Zach Wilson lead offense, he was all but a non-factor.

The Jets traded Mecole to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that drafted him in the second round in 2019. In exchange for Hardman and a 2025 seventh round pick, the Jets are receiving a 2025 sixth round pick.

Hardman had his most productive season as a rookie, when he scored seven touchdowns, including one on a kickoff return, and had a per-catch average of 20.7 yards.

The Jets signed Hardman to a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason, but he has played only 28 offensive snaps for them and has only one reception in five games.

Hardman never publicly complained about his lack of involvement, which is a credit to him.

The Jets seemed to have no idea what to do with Hardman once Aaron Rodgers went down with injury, and whats worse, they didn't really try.  Hardman isn't so much of a receiver as he is an offensive weapon.  The Jets decided with Zach Wilson at the helm, they would rather play things straightforward.

In reality, the Jets should have been using Hardman (along with players like Xavier Gipson) in different ways to put pressure on the defense.  They should have been running jet sweeps and wide receiver bubble screens and the occasional reverse.  Plays like that can not only create big gains, but can keep a defense honest and open things up for the regular passing and running games.

The compensation for Hardman is almost as small of a haul as a team can receive.  The Jets don't even get a draft pick, but a move from the seventh round to the sixth and they don't even get that for this upcoming draft, but for next year's draft.

The frustrating part of this deal isn't the lack of compensation, (I mean, what could you legitimately ask for in exchange for a player who only saw 28 snaps?) but in the "what could have been" for the player. 

Now the Jets, who currently sit at 3-3 send Hardman to the another AFC team with eyes on the playoffs in the Chiefs who will find ways to get him the ball.  This was simply a wasted opportunity.

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Featured image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports