Mecole Hardman caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, but that might not save him from being cut. The 2023 season was a whirlwind for the former second-round pick, as Hardman began the season with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. However, Hardman’s role with the club vanished once Rodgers tore his Achilles after just four snaps. In total, the wideout caught just one pass for six yards and might have leaked gameplans to opponents before the Jets sent him back to the Chiefs. With the team desperate for wide receiver depth, Hardman returned and recorded 14 receptions for 118 yards in the regular season.
The Chiefs re-signed Mecole Hardman, but his one-year, $4 million deal makes him easy to cut. Kansas City knew wide receiver was a weakness and addressed the position with free agent signee Marquise Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy. Because of this added talent, ChiefsWire believes Hardman could be on the way out of town. While he never developed into an all-around threat, Hardman’s deep speed and ability in the return game could make him an ideal fit for the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers.
Chiefs Could Cut Mecole Hardman – Could Chargers, Panthers Be Interested?
The Los Angeles Chargers have the worst collective wide receiver room in football. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey has impressed early in training camp, but 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston cannot get out of his own way. The TCU product is a lowlight machine at training camp and, barring something completely unexpected, will continue to be a non-factor in the passing game. This leaves Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark as the second and third options in the passing attack, which is not ideal.
Quentin Johnston just can’t catch unless his body is facing the QB… and then its still iffy. Thats just the reality.
The guy sucks pic.twitter.com/gGam5MAfWO
— Lightning Strike (@ChargersCommish) July 27, 2024
Mecole Hardman is not a starting-caliber receiver in the NFL, but the right coaching staff could turn him into a decent gadget player and home run threat. Seeing as the Chargers don’t have any notable explosive playmakers, the team should throw as many darts at the board as possible and see what sticks. As an added bonus, Los Angeles could use another returner. Fourth-round pick Derius Davis performed well last year in that role, but due to the presumed increase in returns from the offseason rule changes, it wouldn’t hurt to add another explosive returner into the mix.
Panthers Diversify Weapons
After Bryce Young failed to singlehandedly save the offense last year, head coach Dave Canales spent the offseason trying to make his life easier. Adam Thielen is back for another season, Diontae Johnson can be a reliable WR1, and Xavier Legette’s ceiling is through the roof. However, Legette is a high-risk prospect while Johnson and Thielen are not the most explosive players in the game. Mecole Hardman might not beat man coverage too often, but a creative mind like Dave Canales could find a use for the cut candidate.
Mecole Hardman won’t be a 100-catch receiver in Carolina, but he could make the cut at the bottom of the roster. Terrace Marshall shouldn’t make the team, opening up a spot for the Super Bowl hero. Even if that doesn’t work out, someone must return kicks now that Laviska Shenault is in Seattle.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
