New York Jets trading WR Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have added another receiver to a pass-catching corps that has so far underwhelmed in 2023. And it’ll be a reunion, as the Chiefs traded with the New York Jets to bring former Chiefs draft pick Mecole Hardman back to the organization, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Hardman signed with the Jets prior to the 2023 season after spending his four years with the Chiefs. The Jets signed Hardman to a $4 million a year deal this offseason under the expectation he would be one of several pass catchers for Aaron Rodgers.
With Rodgers out and a role not materializing for Hardman with the Jets, the Chiefs made a move to hopefully bolster what has been an underwhelming group of receivers in 2023. The terms of the deal, per SI’s Albert Breer, are a 2025 sixth round pick being sent to the Jets for Hardman and a 2025 seventh round pick.
And given his familiarity with both the quarterback and scheme in Kansas City, Hardman should have a fairly smooth adjustment. Plus, he’ll be back on the team he won a pair of Super Bowl rings with.
In four-plus seasons, Hardman has played in 62 regular season games, making 26 starts. He has 152 career catches for more than 2000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has not recorded a touchdown this season as the Jets have struggled to get him the ball.
Hardman might have to repurpose some jewelry
After inking his deal with the Jets this season, Hardman splurged on some jewelry. Specifically, he purchased a chain and pendant that looks like an F-16 fighter jet, encrusted with gems.
Not only does the large jet’s pilot’s seat open, it also has a mini Hardman character sitting inside. That is but one of many subtle details that make the piece of jewelry that much more ostentatious.
It’s certainly a flashy statement piece, but one that makes quite a bit more sense as a Jet than, well, any other team in the NFL. And it seems unlikely that Hardman is going to find an eager purchaser, lest one of his now former Jets teammates wants to take it off his hands.
Either way, having a piece of jewelry that doesn’t quite make sense is probably a price worth paying to get back in a receiving corps that’s on the receiving end of the best quarterback in the league.