Report: Mecole Hardman signing with Buffalo Bills on practice squad

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Buffalo Bills are signing wide receiver Mecole Hardman to the practice squad. Hardman joins the organization as somebody with a ton of experience down the stretch, most famously playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. If nothing else, an interesting signing for Buffalo.

“Bills are signing wide receiver Mecole Hardman to the practice squad, per source,” Fowler said via X.

Hardman last played in 12 games last season, all for the Chiefs. He caught 12 passes on 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns. Five rushing attempts pop up on the stat sheet too, totalling 62 yards. This is where Hardman got his lone touchdown of the year, coming in a Week 7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Kansas City decided to move off Hardman ahead of the 2025 season. He initially landed in Green Bay with the Packers before not making final roster cuts. Signed to the practice squad there, Hardman was released into free agency on Sept. 23.

Well over a month later, the Bills are now willing to give Hardman a chance. It’s no secret what Buffalo is chasing — a Super Bowl title with Josh Allen. Usually, Hardman is right in their way with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. They might be hoping Hardman can add something to the stretch and possibly even into the playoffs, if ever elevated from the practice squad.

Buffalo Bills looking for wide receiver help

As weird as it sounds due to Allen being there, the Bills are still looking for a way to elevate their passing game. James Cook is among the best running backs in the NFL, currently having the second-most rushing yards at 920. It’s when Allen drops back to pass that issues exist.

Khalil Shakir is currently the team’s leading receiver with 457 yards. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is not too far behind at 448 yards. From there, it’s a steep drop off. Second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman, whom the team invested a second-round pick in, has only 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns.

After Sunday, Buffalo sits in second place of the AFC East, behind the New England Patriots, by a game. The schedule does not slow down anytime soon either, hosting the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

The AFC playoffs figure to be a gauntlet, as usual. Getting as much receiver help post-trade deadline is never a bad idea.