NFL Rumors: Mecole Hardman, Chiefs Agree to Contract; WR Won 3 Super Bowls with KC

Mecole Hardman is reportedly sticking with the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the veteran wide receiver re-signed with the team on a one-year deal on Thursday.

Hardman had a bizarre 2023 season. The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the New York Jets last offseason after spending his first four seasons with the Chiefs. But the move went poorly—Hardman caught just one pass for six yards, never emerged as a significant part of the struggling Jets’ offense and was traded back to the Chiefs in October.

But even on a Kansas City team desperate for reliable playmakers at receiver, Hardman played a bit role, catching 14 passes for 118 yards. It was not the sort of year that increased his overall value on the free agent market, though he did catch the game-winning pass in overtime at the Super Bowl, clinching another title for the Chiefs.

Hardman started his career as an excellent return specialist for the Chiefs, even earning a Pro Bowl bid in his rookie season in 2019. He eventually earned a larger role in the offense as well, with 59 catches for 693 yards and two touchdowns in 2021 and six total touchdowns on offense in 2022.

Neither the Jets nor Chiefs utilized him to that same degree last season, however, and Kansas City will be hoping Hardman is hungry to prove he can still be an effective and dangerous playmaker. Outside of Rashee Rice, very few wideouts proved to be consistent options for Patrick Mahomes in 2023, even as the team won a title.

The hope will be that Hardman’s familiarity with the offense, paired with some motivation to increase his role, will lead to a bigger 2024.