Every offseason produces changes for all NFL teams, and this one is no exception for the Kansas City Chiefs. Recently, Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce found out that a player who was part of all three Super Bowl victories with them is taking his talents to the Green Bay Packers, where heâll join forces with Jordan Love.
On Tuesday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that free agent wide receiver Mecole Hardman is leaving the Chiefs to sign a one-year deal with the Packers for the 2025 season.
His departure comes only a few days after the exit of another three-time Super Bowl champion alongside Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce. On Sunday, the Chiefs learned that defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi is moving to the New York Jets.
Hardmanâs Super Bowl wins with Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce
Hardman, 27, spent pretty much his entire career in Kansas City since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. He left the team for a few months in 2023 but returned just in time to play an instrumental role in its Super Bowl LVIII win.
Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Georgia product emerged as a return specialist in his very first year with the Chiefs, helping Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce win their first ring in the 2019 NFL season. In Super Bowl LIV, he contributed with three returned kicks for 58 yards as well as two catches for two yards.
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An abdomen injury forced him to watch Super Bowl LVII from the sidelines, but it didnât stop him from earning another ring. Hardman, however, would prove crucial the following year.
A heroic moment in Super Bowl LVIII
After leaving for the New York Jets in 2023 free agency, it only took him a few weeks to request a trade, making his way back to the Chiefs in October. Months later, Hardman caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Mahomes to seal the Chiefsâ Super Bowl LVIII victory in overtime.
Hardman stayed in Kansas City on a one-year, $1.125 million deal for 2024, where he recorded 12 catches for 90 yards with no touchdowns. He also racked up five carries for 62 yards and a touchdown before missing the remainder of the season due to knee injury.
A new target for Love
Love is getting an experienced weapon in Hardman, whose arrival also helps the Packers add more veteran presence in a young group of wide receivers, formed by Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Christian Watson.
Watson suffered a torn ACL in the 2024 NFL regular season finale, so Love will be down a key target to start the new campaign. Perhaps he finds a reliable alternative in Hardman, who could also replace Keisean Nixon in returning kicks.
