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USA TODAY SportsMecole Hardman Jr., a wide receiver who played for the Chiefs on two Super Bowl-winning squads, was traded back to Kansas City on Wednesday from the New York Jets.
According to reports, the Chiefs will trade Hardman and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Hardman.
This season, the Chiefs’ wide receiver play has primarily been a problem. Rashee Rice, a second-round choice, is their position leader in catches, receptions, and yards.
The Chiefs weren’t satisfied with the performance of seasoned wideouts Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore. Together, the three have 35 catches for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round of the 2019 draft. As a rookie, he had his most successful season, scoring seven touchdowns, including one on a kickoff return, and averaging 20.7 yards per reception.
In 2021, Hardman recorded career highs of 59 catches and 693 yards. When he missed eight games last season due to injury, his performance suffered.
Hardman signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Jets this offseason, but he has only participated in 28 offensive snaps and one reception in five games.
Although Hardman has never publicly bemoaned his lack of participation, he recently spoke with ESPN about his unhappiness.
“I’m probably the best in the league in space,” he stated. “Maybe [the coaches] see something different.”
He questioned at the time why he wasn’t employed on screens or other technological runs.
Hardman, who was given $3.6 million in guarantees from the Jets, was passed by youngster Xavier Gipson, who was promoted to the position of fourth wide receiver, on the depth chart. Gipson defeated Hardman for the position of punt returner during training camp. Hardman was a healthy scratch in Week 5. Irv Charles’ expertise on special teams led to his selection as the fifth receiver that week against the Denver Broncos.
Credits: ESPN
