Mecole Hardman Refutes Accusations That He Leaked Jets’ Game Plans

Former Jets teammates alleged the receiver gave opponents their game plan.

Mecole Hardman addressed the recent allegations swirling around social media that he leaked the New York Jets’ game plans to opponents during his time with the organization.

“There were FALSE accusations made about me and MY CHARACTER! To set the record straight, I have never and would never leak game plans to another team,” Hardman posted to social media on Friday.

“I have never been a person to give an opponent an upper hand I always want to win no matter the circumstances!!!!!”

Hardman signed with the Jets last offseason to be one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s top options in the pass game. However, he played sparingly in five games and was traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs in October. 

On Wednesday, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported there was “validated belief” in the Jets’ locker room that Hardman leaked game plans to the Philadelphia Eagles and Chiefs before matchups last season.

New York cornerback Sauce Gardner and tight end Kenny Yeboah inferred a similar message on social media earlier this week, but both deleted their posts.

The Jets lost to Kansas City 23–20 in Week 4 and beat the Eagles 20–14 in Week 6. Hardman was traded to the Chiefs three days after the Jets’ win over Philadelphia.

Hardman played a small role in Kansas City’s offense but caught three passes in Super Bowl LVIII, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Now an unrestricted free agent, Hardman will look to sign with one of the NFL’s 32 teams. It just probably won’t be the Jets.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.