Bilal Powell Responds to Mecole Hardman's Comments on Jets, "His Pride Got in the Way"

Mecole Hardman recently discussed his time with the Jets being less than stellar, but was it his pride that got in the way of his success there?

Back before Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman caught the game-winning TD in the Super Bowl, he was playing for the New York Jets. Sadly, despite being a good pickup for the team, Hardman did not deliver in terms of production. 

Hardman apparently thought he was a WR1 and did not want to deal with kick or punt returning. He recently stated that he was "mentally checked out" with the Jets, but former Jets running back Bilal Powell reveals on In Flight Snack that Hardman's pride is what soured the relationship.

"So honestly, I tell you this just from a from a former player's eyes and perspective. Mecole Hardman, Super Bowl champion, veteran, gets signed to a nice deal for the things that he's done in Kansas City. Yes, he had a nice deal. He thought he was going to come over and be the guy, treated like a veteran, and got outperformed."

via Bilal Powell, In Flight Snack

Regardless of any veteran being signed to a team, they still must prove that they are worth the money for which they were signed for. Hardman was being used as a punt and kickoff returner, which was somehow above his skillset. 

"They said, well, you know, we got to put our money to use somehow. Go catch kicks, go catch punts. In his mind. In his mind he's like, 'I'm past that. I'm past being a special teams guy. I need to be on the offense. You guys paid me to be over here.' In his mind, that's what happened because, I mean, I was there...You had to earn it. I had to earn it every freaking year. You know what I mean? Like, I didn't I didn't allow my pride to get in the way."

via Bilal Powell, In Flight Snack

Powell indicated that he had to work hard every year to ensure his status as a starter, which goes for every player. However, Hardman believed that by joining the Jets, he should have been treated far differently. 

Being an offensive weapon that can be used in special teams plays is something great players possess, so it is a bit odd that Hardman saw that as some sort of an insult. His time with the Jets may have worked out if he allowed himself to just be part of the team's plans.