3 reasons why the Chiefs re-signed Mecole Hardman
Even though Kansas City has revamped its wide receiver group, the Super Bowl LVIII hero is back.
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On Thursday morning, it was reported that the Kansas City Chiefs were re-signing wide receiver Mecole Hardman — an unrestricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason. Last year, he signed with the New York Jets before returning to the Chiefs in a mid-season trade.
After an unspectacular season in which he appeared in only six games, he made two of the Chiefs’ biggest offensive plays during Super Bowl LVIII — including the game-winning touchdown. His postseason impact showed how the team had missed Hardman’s speed and playmaking.
With the team’s signing of free-agent Hollywood Brown — and the selection of Xavier Worthy in the first round of the NFL Draft — it seemed like the Chiefs were moving on from Hardman. But three weeks into OTAs, something prompted Kansas City to bring him back.
Here are three reasons why the Chiefs might have made this move:
1. A lack of progress from Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore
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The Chiefs’ offseason signings have put less pressure on Moore and Toney to be key members of the receiving corps. But it’s still important that wideouts lower on the depth chart are reliable pass-catchers. Hardman’s return may signal that neither player has made much progress.
Last season, Moore registered a 53.5 passer rating when targeted. In his rookie season, it was just 61.7. Ever since Moore arrived in Kansas City, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had trouble getting on the same page with him — and that didn’t improve in 2023.
Toney’s issues as a consistent receiver were much easier to see last season — and he’s been absent from OTAs on both days reporters were present. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy did say Toney is “special” when he has the ball in his hands — but also noted how important it is for coaches to put him in the right position to succeed by not over-complicating things.
So it may be that neither player has made a good first impression during the offseason — so Hardman’s return improves the competition for depth at slot receiver. While all three can fill that spot, only Hardman has game-breaking speed. If Moore and Toney aren’t improving, the team may consider that speed more valuable.
2. Insurance for Xavier Worthy
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No one outside the team has yet seen Worthy during OTAs. He tweaked his hamstring before the Mayy 22 practice open to the media — and was still sidelined when reporters returned on May 30.
This is a reasonable precaution. At this point, there is no need to push a soft-tissue injury. Still, Worthy will be an important chess piece in Kansas City’s offense. His raw speed will stretch defenses horizontally and vertically — just like Hardman’s speed during prior seasons.
With Brown (and tight end Travis Kelce) projected to lead the team in receiving volume, it’s also possible that Worthy could begin the season in a simplified role — just as Hardman did as a rookie playing alongside Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Worthy will be able to take advantage of play designs and open spaces in the same way — and maybe even to a greater extent. This is exactly why I described Worthy as a “souped-up Mecole Hardman” before the draft.
But this can only happen if he’s healthy. If Worthy’s nagging hamstring continues into the season, Hardman is a natural candidate to fill his rookie role.
3. Accounting for Rashee Rice’s potential suspension
3. Accounting for Rashee Rice’s potential suspension
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Rice led all Kansas City wideouts in slot snaps last season. It was where he was most impactful as a playmaker, gaining yards after the catch and showing off more speed than some had expected. But when the season begins, we don’t know if he will be available. He could be serving a league suspension for his part in March’s six-vehicle accident in Dallas.
In that event, Worthy, Moore and Toney will have to step up. But as we have seen, the Chiefs may feel comfortable having a fourth player available to do that — especially a veteran who has been in the system for five seasons. Hardman, after all, is the only one of the four who played during 2023’s playoff run.
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