Bills sign former 3-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver with fans divided over the decision
Welcome to the practice squad, Mecole Hardman.
The Buffalo Bills brought in reinforcements of sorts, giving quarterback Josh Allen another weapon in the offense, but more likely replacing kick returner Brandon Codrington. For now, it’s neither, as it was a practice squad signing, not an official addition to the 53-man roster.
It’s been reported that the Bills signed former Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers receiver Mecole Hardman to their practice squad.
While the name isn’t the flashiest, and the team has receiver Gabe Davis waiting in the wings, it’s at least a move. I would have preferred it if it came during the trade deadline, but I digress. Many joked on social media about the nature of the move. One user wrote, “Super Bowl back on.” Another wrote, “and just like that, the Bills are back to football supremacy.”
As a member of the Jets and the Chiefs, Hardman was on the field against Buffalo a total of eight times, including the playoffs, in his career. In those games, Hardman amassed 18 receptions for 162 yards and three total touchdowns.
Mecole Hardman’s career receiving stats
- 2019: 26 receptions, 538 yards, six touchdowns.
- 2020: 41 receptions, 560 yards, four touchdowns.
- 2021: 59 receptions, 693 yards, two touchdowns.
- 2022: 25 receptions, 297 yards, four touchdowns.
- 2023*: 15 receptions, 124 yards.
- 2024: 12 receptions, 90 yards.
*indicates a year where Hardman played for both the Jets and the Chiefs, combining totals for both.
Packers writer for A to Z Sports weighs in on the signing
With Hardman coming most recently from the Packers, A to Z Sports Green Bay writer, Wendell Ferreira, broke down the move and what Hardman accomplished in his short stint for Green Bay.
“The Green Bay Packers signed Hardman in March, and it felt like he was a lock to make the team, but things changed in April when the Packers drafted Matthew Golden in the first and Savion Williams in the third round. By that point, even with Christian Watson sidelined with a knee injury, Hardman started to compete for the final roster spot with Malik Heath.
“Theoretically, Hardman offered something unique on the roster, which was his ability to return both kicks and punts. That idea didn’t materialize, though. The veteran had one kick return and seven punt returns in the preseason, including a muffed punt. On offense, Hardman had three receptions for 30 yards, mostly aligning in the slot.
“Even though he offered horizontal speed, that wasn’t enough for him to make the 53-man roster. Initially, the Packers brought him back to the practice squad, but he was released from the practice squad after a few weeks and became available to sign elsewhere. Hardman had decent offensive production and great return ability earlier in his career for the Kansas City Chiefs, but a sequence of injuries affected his athletic level.
“He signed with the New York Jets in 2023, but returned to a second stint with the Chiefs — he even scored a Super Bowl-winning touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime. Hardman never became more than a role player, but now that role is even more limited.” – Wendell Ferreira
Mecole Hardman’s career kick/punt return stats
- 2019: 19 punt returns, 167 yards. 27 kick returns, 704 yards, one touchdown.
- 2020: 25 punt returns, 176 yards, one touchdown. Nine kick returns, 184 yards.
- 2021: 13 punt returns, 157 yards. Two kick returns, 35 yards.
- 2022: Six punt returns, 55 yards. One kick return, four yards.
- 2023: Seven punt returns, 61 yards. One kick return, 14 yards.
- 2024: 20 punt returns, 203 yards. Five kick returns, 132 yards.
*indicates a year where Hardman played for both the Jets and the Chiefs, combining totals for both.
It’s not the splash move Bills Mafia was hoping for, but at least it’s something. If Hardman can find a way to bring some of that spark he had with the Chiefs, the fan base would be in for a treat.
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