Jets Sending Slot Receiver Back to Kansas City

Two-time Super Bowl champion returns to team that drafted him

Mecole Hardman's tenure with the New York Jets never took off. Now, it's over after only seven months.

Hardman, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Jets this past March, is going back to the team that drafted him. Gang Green has reportedly agreed to trade the speedy slot receiver to the Kansas City Chiefs according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

In a swap that also includes draft capital, according to Schefter's sources, the Jets will give up a 2025 seventh-round selection while receiving a 2025 sixth-round selection from the Chiefs in return.

After missing the Jets' win in Denver as a healthy scratch, Hardman was on the field for only six of the team's 65 snaps in the Week 6 victory over Philadelphia.

"He’s here, working, competing, until someone upstairs says otherwise," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh last week when asked about trade rumors involving Hardman.

The 2019 second-round draft pick totaled 28 offensive snaps in five appearances for the Green & White, making only one catch for six yards.

While ceding WR3 reps to veteran Randall Cobb, Hardman watched undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson claim primary return duties.

"I want to go out and contribute and help my team win. But as of now, I guess there's just more better options," said Hardman last Wednesday. "They just haven't called my number yet, but all I can do is just work."

In his first three years with the Chiefs, Hardman produced three 500-yard receiving campaigns. He was limited by injury in 2022 before leaving in free agency.

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