Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach open to bringing back Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman in free agency
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't opposed to welcoming back a Super Bowl LVIII hero with open arms in free agency should a contract make sense for both sides. Mecole Hardman notably left the team in free agency in 2023 to join the New York Jets on a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. He appeared in […]
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't opposed to welcoming back a Super Bowl LVIII hero with open arms in free agency should a contract make sense for both sides.
Mecole Hardman notably left the team in free agency in 2023 to join the New York Jets on a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. He appeared in just two games for New York and caught a single pass for six yards before returning to Kansas City in a midseason trade. While his regular season was hardly what many would consider a success, he would go to catch the game-winning touchdown grab in Super Bowl LVIII.
"Everybody doesn't fit into every situation," Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters on Tuesday. "We had Mecole (Hardman). We know how he fits into our scheme. He came in, worked hard, and was productive for us. He had some hiccups early and worked through those and ended up having some good plays in the Super Bowl."
The former second-round draft pick by Kansas City appeared to learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Could Hardman return to the Chiefs in 2024?
Speaking to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, Hardman recently revealed he would not be returning to the Jets in free agency, but he didn't rule out a return to the Chiefs.
During his combine podium session on Tuesday, Chiefs GM Brett Veach said he'd be talking to Hardman and his agent soon. He kept the door open for Hardman's return so long as things made sense for both sides.
"We'll get the chance to meet with him and his agent," Veach said of Hardman. "(We) love Mecole (Hardman). If there's an opportunity there that makes sense for him and us, I'm sure we wouldn't be opposed to going down that road. When you have a guy that has played in this offense and understands all the verbiage, all the dialogues, all the play checks. We didn't have a lot of ammunition to do much at the trade deadline last year (and) that one just kind of opened itself up where the price wasn't much and our coaches knew him, he knew us and it worked out. I'm thrilled for him for that last play. What a turn of events for him. Love Mecole, and I'm sure we'll be in contact with him."
Hardman might be more valuable to Kansas City than any other team. His midseason return seemed to prove as much in 2023, and his time in New York could dissuade teams from offering him a lucrative deal.
A second-round pick out of Georgia in 2019, Hardman spent 4.5 NFL seasons with the Chiefs. During that span, he recorded 165 receptions for 2,206 yards and 16 touchdowns, which doesn't even include his production carrying the ball or working as a punt return specialist.
Hardman caught just 14 passes for 118 yards in the regular season with Kansas City in 2023, but his Super Bowl LVIII performance is notable with a 50-plus yard reception on a deep ball and the touchdown that won the game in overtime.
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