Jets' Tenure Could End Early for Hardly-Used Hardman

Veteran receiver reportedly on trading block after signing one-year deal in March

Mecole Hardman may be gone before New York Jets' fans even get a chance to know the speedy slot receiver.

Hardman, who signed a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million this past offseason, has hardly been part of the Jets' offense through five games. He was a gameday inactive in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.

Now, there is a report that the organization is "looking at options for Mecole Hardman, including a potential trade." Citing league sources, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler posted the rumor to the social media site formerly known as Twitter on Tuesday morning.

Fowler noted that the two-time Super Bowl champion pass-catcher has not been in the team's on-field plans thus far. Hardman was active for the season's first four games, but played only 10 percent of the offensive snaps during those appearances.

In 22 snaps, Hardman has been targeted only once as a receiver and has one catch for six yards.

Surprisingly, Hardman, who earned All-Pro status as a kick returner in 2019, has not factored into the Jets' special teams operations at all either.

Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh claimed that special teams' ability heavily affected the decision to make Hardman inactive in favor of receiver Irvin Charles this past Sunday in Denver. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson won the primary returner role in training camp.

"Irv made this team initially because of his special teams ability and it’s just a matter of just trying to get him up, especially as a gunner," said Saleh on Monday in Florham Park.

Hardman, who missed nine regular season games due to injury in 2022, suggested he was back to full strength in a message on X.

"I wish people would stop saying I be hurt a lot, that just shows who actually pay attention! Played every game for 3 years straight and had a freak injury half way through year 4. A injury where none of y’all don’t even have the slightest idea of what I dealt with when the injury occurred," said Hardman in a post on September 26 at 11:03 pm ET.

Mecole Hardman Hints at Frustration for Lack of Playing Time

After a Week 4 loss to his old team on Sunday Night Football, Hardman reposted a fan's X message that said "USE HIM !!!"

The 25-year-old, who has 4.31 speed in the 40-yard dash, participated in only six of the Jets' 59 offensive plays during the 23-20 loss to Kansas City.

The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round at the 2019 NFL Draft. He accounted for three consecutive 500+ yard receiving seasons prior to his injury-plagued 2022 campaign.

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