Sometimes, it’s hard to move on. The Kansas City Chiefs and Mecole Hardman have come to this realization since the speedster receiver signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the New York Jets this past offseason.
Now, after just five games with the Jets, Hardman has been traded back to the Chiefs. The deal was finalized Wednesday, with the Jets receiving a 2025 sixth-round pick while sending Hardman and a 2025 seventh-round pick back to Kansas City.
For the Jets, it opens up other opportunities for younger players such as undrafted rookies Xavier Gipson and Jason Brownlee, two players Gang Green had no idea would emerge as roster hopefuls when Hardman was signed back in March.
For the Chiefs, Hardman adds more speed and even a player Patrick Mahomes is already familiar throwing to, which should help accelerate his re-integration back into the passing offense.
Hardman, the 56th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, spent his first four seasons with Kansas City, reaching the Pro Bowl while receiving second-team All-Pro honors thanks to his excellence on special teams, averaging 26.1 yards per return, plus one touchdown.
He also became an effective slot receiver, topping out at 693 yards in 2021. Then Hardman was limited to just eight games last season before deciding to move on in free agency. Yet, with just one catch for six yards through five games in a Jets uniform, it shouldn’t be long before he tops those marks now that he’s back in Kansas City.
Related: 2023 NFL trade tracker: Grading every NFL trade, including Mecole Hardman deal