Mecole Hardman Signing With Green Bay

[tynimiller]

Got a text few hours ago and looks like public so there you go…

4.33 speed back in his combine day, not the receiver type I figured we’d sign but pickings were thin.

Experienced and has shown flashes. He hasn’t done much for two years though folks….this isn’t even a guy I guarantee will make the 53

 

[OldSchool101]

Interesting. Hopefully a low cost insurance plan. I could see Hardman filling a niche on this team. He has PR, KR experience and was used on some runs. He has 3 rushing TD’s and KR and PR scores. He was barely used in 2024 for the Chiefs, but also KC had other similar players with Speed.

Hardman also doesn’t shy away from Big games. He has 3 SB rings and had a TD in each of KC playoff runs. Including the famous SB winning TD in OT.

 

[tynimiller]

Personally much over minimum and I’m NOT a fan. It’s one year though so don’t care much, tie very little guarantee and I could see it being 2.5 to even 3, but big issue would be if he even makes team to see it if no or little guarantees

 

[gopkrs]

I don't know if he is any good but he probably still has enough speed to make em worry. So I like that.

 

[Dantés]

Probably competition for Melton’s roster spot.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Lot of Packer fans are scratching their heads during this free agency period.

 

[tynimiller]

Probably competition for Melton’s roster spot.

Him and Heath came to my mind instantly. He isn’t stealing snaps from Doubs, Reed or Wicks

 

[tynimiller]

Lot of Packer fans are scratching their heads during this free agency period.

Eh, most I discuss things with are not.

In truth the other moves made sense with the pools out there in FA not aligning well with our real needs and not stupid level signings.

 

[gopkrs]

Probably competition for Melton’s roster spot.

Yeah, maybe that's how it will play out. Melton really can't beat anyone deep and for some reason Hardman hasn't been used as a deep receiver. Seems kind of up and down with drops over the years. But obviously has made a couple of clutch plays. He should get some opportunities. He'll have to cash in on them. At least learn to decoy deep. I guess LaFleur will love his ability to jet sweep. Don't know if that's good or bad. We definitely need to do those less often so they can surprise somebody

 

[Dantés]

Yeah, maybe that's how it will play out. Melton really can't beat anyone deep and for some reason Hardman hasn't been used as a deep receiver. Seems kind of up and down with drops over the years. But obviously has made a couple of clutch plays. He should get some opportunities. He'll have to cash in on them. At least learn to decoy deep. I guess LaFleur will love his ability to jet sweep. Don't know if that's good or bad. We definitely need to do those less often so they can surprise somebody

I don’t think Hardman’s speed is best utilized vertically.

 

[Magooch]

I don’t really think this moves the needle for us at all. Probably more of a gadget player and returner at this point. And I mean that’s fine. Just pray we don’t see this signing as “fixing” anything with our WR room.

 

[Schultz]

Lot of Packer fans are scratching their heads during this free agency period.

Head and Shoulders could help them.

 

[AmishMafia]

When the Chiefs needed WRs, they let him leave. I'm not thinking this signing means much.

 

[Dantés]

I don’t really think this moves the needle for us at all. Probably more of a gadget player and returner at this point. And I mean that’s fine. Just pray we don’t see this signing as “fixing” anything with our WR room.

Jayden Reed is not a very good punt returner and Keisean Nixon has said he doesn’t want to return kicks anymore. Melton doesn’t offer anything in either role. So if Hardman takes the WR5 or WR6 job and locks down the return game, this is a savvy signing. It frees them up to focus two other WR slots on receiving skills.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Guessing this was a low $ signing, feels like a TT Free Agent.

I predict he either soars or crashes and burns.

If he makes the roster, we could see him returning both punts and kicks.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Got a text few hours ago and looks like public so there you go…

4.33 speed back in his combine day, not the receiver type I figured we’d sign but pickings were thin.

Experienced and has shown flashes. He hasn’t done much for two years though folks….this isn’t even a guy I guarantee will make the 53

Nice gadget player who can also return kicks. has a bit of an injury history.

Not an earth-shattering signing, but one of those under-the-radar pickups that Gutey likes. If he can stay healthy Hardman can be a contributor next season, but I wouldn't expect much more than that.

 

[tynimiller]

When the Chiefs needed WRs, they let him leave. I'm not thinking this signing means much.

I may be misremembering the time line but wasn’t that when he was hunting for a contract? They also didn’t hesitate getting back tho then too.

Again his value is depth, and the fact he is still young and is explosive. Even if he just becomes a solid PR for us I see value in it

 

[AmishMafia]

I may be misremembering the time line but wasn’t that when he was hunting for a contract? They also didn’t hesitate getting back tho then too.

Again his value is depth, and the fact he is still young and is explosive. Even if he just becomes a solid PR for us I see value in it

I didn't realize he was back on the Chiefs. Don't recall hearing his name during the SB. Looks like he was injured and missed games in '21, '22, and '23. Speed guys often see a downturn in production after an injury or two. Curious to see what he has left.

 

[tynimiller]

I didn't realize he was back on the Chiefs. Don't recall hearing his name during the SB. Looks like he was injured and missed games in '21, '22, and '23. Speed guys often see a downturn in production after an injury or two. Curious to see what he has left.

So he was actually more active in KC's 2024 SB run. This year he did not dress due to knee issue.

He was active for 12 games this past season with KC, in 2023 he split time between Jets and KC active for 11 games and then in the playoffs like I said was active all games.

What many people fail to realize is while he is more of that constructed play type guy he does have juice (true speed in shorts and game) and his burst of accelleration was still present last year albeit on very limited chances...I mean guys he was only targeted 14 times in the regular season.

However...with Reed truly not being what you want at PR and Nixon saying he doesn't want to do returning at all anymore - Mecole truly does likely make the team if for no other reason than that. I also think he could very well be the best player we've had in awhile for the jet sweep and motion type plays given his speed and lets be honest shorter stature can play a role in that play as well.

I heard rumors that this could be a similar type deal as to what Dillon did for the team last year, when we signed Dillon to that odd four-year qualifying contract...essentially Dillon had a base salary of $1.125 but could max it out at $2.575 but would only count that $1.125 figure. I had never heard of this contract type, but it would be a perfect thing for Mecole type signing.

 

[El Guapo]

This reminds me of the Sammy Watkins signing back in 2022. I'd say it's a 50/50 guess as to whether or not Hardman makes the roster.

 

[tynimiller]

This reminds me of the Sammy Watkins signing back in 2022. I'd say it's a 50/50 guess as to whether or not Hardman makes the roster.

Eh yes and no...far more similar to that one vs some of the other older flyer type WRs brought in, but Mecole just turned 27 a week ago so is still relatively young, motivated to resurrect his career, but most dissimilar and his most likely avenue to a roster spot through his returning skills.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I may be misremembering the time line but wasn’t that when he was hunting for a contract? They also didn’t hesitate getting back tho then too.

Again his value is depth, and the fact he is still young and is explosive. Even if he just becomes a solid PR for us I see value in it

Agree.

I doubt they overpaid him and probably didn't give him much, if any of a signing bonus. If that is the case, this would be one of those "wait and see" signings, with nothing but upside for the Packers.

Sounds like Hardman is a good teammate and works diligently at his craft. He is known for his infectious personality and ability to lift team morale.

Not an earth shattering signing, but it might keep Reed healthier (no punt returns) as well as the obvious, give the Receiving room more speed.

 

[Fooksmania]

I could be wrong but am too fat and lazy to look into it but I do think Mecole had some off the field issues the last year or two that scared some teams away. I could be wrong. I think this signing could be big surprise.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I could be wrong but am too fat and lazy to look into it but I do think Mecole had some off the field issues the last year or two that scared some teams away. I could be wrong. I think this signing could be big surprise.

The Jets, when he was a Jet, accused him of leaking game plans to the Chiefs and Eagles. Hardman strongly denied it. I don't think anything happened beyond the accusation.

 

[Schultz]

I seem to remember it was clear he and the Jets were not going to work out and after KC got him back he was accused of giving some scouting help to Kc while he was still with the Jets. Something along those lines. I think. Maybe.