The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver and return specialist Mecole Hardman to a one-year contract. Hardman has won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs. The 27-year-old Georgia alum can play wide receiver and return kicks and punts. But what does the signing of Mecole Hardman mean for the Packers and how will he fit in with the Packers?
What the Signing of Mecole Hardman Means for the Packers: Hardman’s Career and Skill Set
The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. At 5’10” and 187 pounds, Hardman has only average size for an NFL wideout. His best asset has always been his speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the combine in 2019.
Hardman played in 12 games last season for the Chiefs and caught 12 passes for 90 yards. He also ran the ball five times for 62 yards and a touchdown. His best season as a receiver came in 2021 when he grabbed 59 passes for 693 yards and two touchdowns.
Hardman is also valuable as a return specialist. He has returned both punts and kickoffs in his six years with the Chiefs. His career average on kick returns is 23.8 while on punt returns, he’s averaged 9.2 yards per runback. In 2024, Hardman returned 20 punts for a 10.2-yard average and 32 kicks for a 26.4-yard average.
Hardman’s Likely Role with the Packers
The first major role Hardman will take over will be as return specialist. Keisean Nixon has been the Packers primary kick returner over the last three seasons and earned All Pro honors after the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. However, Nixon told reporters he no longer wanted to return kicks as he viewed himself as the team’s top cornerback and therefore shouldn’t be returning kicks any longer.
Meanwhile, Jayden Reed served as the Packers punt returner. Reed was unspectacular in that role and made his share of mistakes as to when to field a punt and when to let it roll. He also called for a fair catch too often when he had room to return a punt.
More importantly, the Packers shouldn’t be risking Reed’s health returning punts. He is arguably the team’s most dangerous returning receiver, and he should be concentrating on that role rather than punt returns.
As a receiver, Hardman provides the Packers with speed, to help replace Christian Watson who is expected to miss at least half the 2025 campaign as he recovers from knee surgery. However, Hardman doesn’t provide the team with the size that Watson provides and he is not a top receiver. He could play in the slot at times, which would move Reed to the perimeter. Hardman can also play on the perimeter.
Look for head coach Matt LaFleur to utilize Hardman for gadget plays. He can run end arounds and jet sweeps, take short shovel passes and run reverses. Think of Hardman having a similar role to what Tyler Ervin had with the Packers in 2019. He may only touch the ball a half dozen times per game, but there will be some gadget plays and schemes designed just for Hardman at the proper times in a game.
What the Signing of Mecole Hardman Means for the Packers: Looking Ahead
This is a low risk move by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst. Hardman doesn’t solve the Packers need for a go-to receiver, but he can play a useful role as a receiver, returner and gadget player.
This is a one-year contract that is at or near the league minimum, so the risk is low. Gutekunst essentially added some speed and depth to the lineup and gave LaFleur a gadget player he can use to run some of his preferred plays.
Hardman will also be able to replace Nixon and Reed as a return specialist or at least compete for that job with some rookies the team may add in the draft or afterwards.
This acquisition doesn’t move the needle a lot, but it does improve the Packers a bit and gives then a useful tool on offense and special teams.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
Check out our YouTube channel here
