Chiefs Re-Sign WR Mecole Hardman to One-Year Contract

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman to a one-year contract on Thursday, according to NFL sources. Hardman, 26, caught the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown pass in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was selected 56th overall in the 2019 NFL draft out of Georgia

The 5-foot-10, 187-pound wideout joins a different group of Chiefs receivers than last season's roster. Since free agency began on March 13, Kansas City has signed free agent Marquise Brown, drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round, and released Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Hardman was selected 56th overall by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Georgia. Through 68 career games (28 starts), he has totals of 166 receptions, 2,212 receiving yards, 96 first downs, and a catch percentage of 68 percent.

Veteran WR Mecole Hardman is re-signing with the #Chiefs on a one-year deal, per source.

A hero in Super Bowl LVIII after a brief stint with the #Jets, Hardman is back in Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/xiA5p0svq8

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 6, 2024

He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie after recording a career-high six touchdown receptions and 538 receiving yards. The Georgia native was also selected second-team All-Pro and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In the 2021 season, Hardman posted career bests of 59 receptions, 693 receiving yards, 33 first downs, 3.5 receptions per game. He also had a career-high 67 touches as well.

Hardman was accused of leaking the New York Jets' offensive game plans to Kansas City, Philadelphia Eagles

Moreover, Hardman split the 2023 season between the Chiefs and the New York Jets. He signed with the Jets as a free agent last year after four seasons (2019-2022) in Kansas City.

The Chiefs brought him back in a midseason trade. In six regular-season games (two starts) with the Chiefs, Hardman caught 14 passes for 118 yards. He also missed five games after the trade with a thumb injury. The receiver caught one pass for 6 yards in four games with the Jets.

Hardman played in all four of Kansas City's playoff games, registering five catches for 62 yards.

In March, Hardman denied reports that he leaked the Jets' offensive game plans to the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 season.

“There were FALSE accusations made about me and MY CHARACTER!” Hardman posted on X. “To set the record straight, I have never and would never leak game plans to another team. I have never been a person to give an opponent an upper hand. I always want to win no matter the circumstances!!!!”

If Hardman did leak the game plans, it didn't seem to make much of an impact. The Jets played two of their best games of the season against the Chiefs and Eagles. New York handed Philadelphia its only loss over its first 11 games, defeating the Eagles 20-14 at home.