The New York Jets have already made significant changes to their offense even before acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers. When signing wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard, the Jets reportedly promised one of them expanded opportunities.
Hardman, the 56th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, never quite met expectations with the Kansas City Chiefs. Drafted to become a version of Tyreek Hill, the 5-foot-10 wide receiver never became what the coaching staff wanted. However, he received significant interest in free agency and New York convinced him its plans for him would unlock his talent.
- Mecole Hardman stats (career): 151 receptions, 2,088 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns
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According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York told Hardman before he signed that it wanted to expand his route tree. Kansas City primarily used him behind the line of scrimmage, finding easy ways to put the football in his hands. However, he didn’t see the football much on short or intermediate targets.
That’s something the coaching staff wants to change. With offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett creating the Jets’ offensive scheme months in advance of the 2023 season, the former Denver Broncos head coach envisions an expanded role for Hardman.
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While Lazard functions as a high-end blocking receiver who can move the chains and has chemistry with Rodgers, Hardman could be a playmaker for New York in 2023.
The change of scenery and the new quarterback in New York could lead to the Jets’ offense looking very different next season.
Examining Mecole Hardman’s new role with New York Jets
As mentioned above, Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid kept Hardman in a specified role last season. Kansas City would often get him the football behind the line of scrimmage, hoping his athleticism and elusiveness in the open field would lead to yards after the catch. Outside of that, much of
Hardman’s other opportunities came 20-plus yards downfield when he would stretch defenses vertically. However, data from Pro Football Focus, shows there might be untapped potential that could be unlocked with New York’s plans.
Mecole Hardman splits (production by depth of target)
- Behind LOS: 9 receptions, 4.7 ypr, 73.0 PFF grade, 4.67 yards per route run
- Short (0-9 yards): 10 receptions, 10.6 ypr, 90.9 PFF grade, 8.15 yards per route run
- Intermediate (10-10): 3 receptions, 18.3 ypr, 90 PFF grade, 11 yards per route run
It’s also worth keeping this in mind for the looming arrival of Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP isn’t the athlete he used to be, but he remains an accurate passer. Returning to Hackett’s offense, a coach he has praised repeatedly, the Jets’ offense seems to be putting pieces in place that will maximize Rodgers’ strengths.
- Aaron Rodgers stats (intermedia throws): 89.4 PFF grade (5th in NFL), 62.8% completion rate, 10.8 yards per attempt
- Aaron Rodgers stats (deep throws): 82.1 PFF grade, 34.5% completion rate, 12-6 TD-INT
Rodgers was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL last season on intermedia throws, posting the sixth-highest passer rating (104.5). While he finished 19th in the percentage of intermedia throws (15.9 percent), the Jets could increase that next season.
While New York still has to complete a trade with the Green Bay Packers for Rodgers, it’s viewed as a foregone conclusion. Based on the additions made this offseason and the early plans for the offense, New York could be one of the highest-scoring NFL teams in 2023. If the Jets accomplish that, they should be Super Bowl contenders.