Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce rave about Mecole Hardman's immeasurable impact
In his first game back with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was as if WR Mecole Hardman had never left. His first target brought back some painful memories, as he and QB Patrick Mahomes didn't seem like they were on the same page. Mahomes clarified after the game, that mishap was on him. "The first third […]
In his first game back with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was as if WR Mecole Hardman had never left.
His first target brought back some painful memories, as he and QB Patrick Mahomes didn't seem like they were on the same page. Mahomes clarified after the game, that mishap was on him.
"The first third down, I missed him," Mahomes said. "He actually read it well. . . but I missed him."
Later, Hardman was targeted on an interception where Mahomes was hit when he threw. Things didn't look great to start the reunion, but Hardman didn't get down on himself and he finished the game with a bang.
It started off with a 50-yard punt return setting up the Chiefs in Chargers territory. Then, it was third-and-6 with the potential to go up by two touchdowns. Hardman had just one reception for six yards entering the game, and his second six-yard reception of the season helped set up K.C. for a fourth-quarter score that would give them an insurmountable lead.
In the immediate wake of the game, Travis Kelce helped put it all into perspective what Hardman's return to Kansas City truly means to the team.
"Man, it was everything," Kelce told CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. "You can feel the energy from that guy being in the room. I don’t know how he got out of New York, but I’m so glad that he’s with us, and obviously, he came up absolutely huge for us there in the fourth quarter. Not only just the punt return, but a huge first down catch.
Mahomes agreed that the punt return helped ice the game for the Chiefs, but the first down catch and how Hardman has carried himself in his return to Kansas City were just as impressive.
"The last one was Cover 0," Mahomes said. "He's using his speed, getting through traffic, and making a big catch to get that first down. It's impressive because he didn't have the season that he wanted in New York, but to be able to come back, have confidence, not be down on himself, and know that whenever he gets his opportunities, he'll do the most with it."
As for what Hardman will bring to the table moving forward, Mahomes and Kelce know exactly the type of threat he can be in this iteration of the Chiefs' offense.
"He's another piece that we can add to the offense," Mahomes continued. "That speed is hard to replicate."
"I'm proud, I'm happy for the guy," Kelce said. "He's back with us and I'm glad we got him for the rest of the year."
