Report: Mecole Hardman Signing With Jets

Hardman leaves Kansas City after having some up-and-down play over the course of his rookie contract.

As the 2023 NFL offseason continues to unfold, the Kansas City Chiefs' receiver room is a popular subject. With the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson all hitting the open market at the start of free agency, many questioned what the remaining group would look like this coming season and beyond. On Wednesday, it was made clear that Hardman won't be a part of those plans. 

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Hardman is signing with the New York Jets. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the speedy wideout secures a one-year contract worth up to $6.5 million:

Source: Mecole Hardman has agreed to terms with the #Jets on a one-year deal. More speed for New York’s offense. pic.twitter.com/3Cnere3lzT

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 22, 2023

Hardman's future in Kansas City was in serious doubt following the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign, as many expected that the 25-year-old would price himself out of the team's range and benefit from a "sneaky-good" market. Hardman indeed ended up landing a new deal outside of Kansas City, cashing in with New York for the second contract of his career thus far. 

In 57 regular-season games as a Chief, Hardman was targeted 220 times and hauled in 151 passes for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also toted the ball 20 times and with those 125 subsequent rushing yards, he also had a pair of touchdowns on the ground as well. In his postseason career (10 games), Hardman had 22 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns with 11 carries for 110 yards and another score.

An injury limited Hardman to just eight games played for the Chiefs this past season before the playoffs and once he returned to action, it was glaringly obvious that he still wasn't 100% healthy. The former second-round pick attempted to play through the pain in the AFC Championship Game but was knocked out of the contest after re-aggravating his ailment, missing the Super Bowl two weekends later and undergoing offseason surgery in February.

Hardman didn't show a ton of development as a pure wide receiver during his four years in Kansas City, but he did manage to emerge as one of the better specialists in the NFL. He's dangerous with the ball in his hands and does a fair amount of damage on plays designed to get him moving at, near and behind the line of scrimmage. In New York's offense, he'll have the opportunity to potentially expand his role if things break right.