GREEN BAY – The Packers have added veteran Mecole Hardman to their receiving corps.
Hardman, who turned 27 last week, has amassed 2,492 all-purpose yards and 19 total touchdowns in 80 regular-season appearances over six NFL seasons spent with Kansas City and the New York Jets.
Here are five things to know about Hardman:
- He's a three-time Super Bowl champion.
A second-round pick (No. 59 overall) out of Georgia in 2019, Hardman found immediate success in Kansas City.
He caught 26 passes for 538 yards (20.7 yards per catch) and a career-high six touchdowns during a rookie season that culminated in a 31-20 win over San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV.
The 5-foot-10, 187-pound wideout returned to the Super Bowl the following year after notching 41 receptions for 560 yards and four TDs before the Chiefs fell to Tampa Bay, 31-9.
Hardman enjoyed his best season to date while earning his second Super Bowl ring with Kansas City in 2022, setting career-highs in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (693).
After a brief stint with the Jets, Hardman was traded back to the Chiefs midway through the 2023 season and caught the game-winning touchdown in Kansas City's 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
Hardman didn't play in Super Bowl LIX after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on Dec. 7, 2024.
- Hardman was an All-Pro kick returner as a rookie.
In addition to his receiving contributions, Hardman returned 27 kickoffs for 704 yards (26.1 yards per return) and a touchdown in 2019, earning second-team AP All-Pro honors in the process.
Days after being selected to the Pro Bowl, Hardman brought back a 104-yard kickoff for a touchdown in the Chiefs' regular-season finale, a 31-21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 29, 2019.
Over his six NFL seasons, Hardman has returned 45 kickoffs for 1,073 yards (23.8 ypr) and 89 punts for 819 yards (9.2 ypr). He returned his first punt for a touchdown (67 yards) in a 33-27 win over Miami on Dec. 13, 2020.
As part of his decorated 2019 campaign, Hardman became the first rookie and fourth player in NFL history to register a 100-plus-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and an 80-plus-yard receiving touchdown in the same season.
- Hardman was more than just a receiver in KC's offense.
The Chiefs found different ways to get their playmaker the ball, which resulted in Hardman notching 190 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 26 regular-season carries.
Hardman rushed for 50 yards in the second quarter of the 2021 AFC Championship Game against Buffalo to break Priest Holmes' franchise record for longest postseason carry from scrimmage of 48 yards set in 2004.
- He made two All-SEC teams at the University of Georgia.
Hardman only made six starts over three years in Athens, Ga., but molded himself into an elite NFL prospect through his utilization on offense and heroics on special teams.
In 40 college games, Hardman caught 59 passes for 950 yards (16.1 ypc) and 11 TDs, returned 39 punts for 592 yards (15.2-yard average) and a TD, and brought back 35 kickoffs for 875 yards (25.0-yard average).
For his efforts, Hardman was twice named to the All-SEC second team. He also was responsible for both of the Bulldogs' touchdowns in their 26-23 loss to Alabama in the 2018 National Championship Game.
Hardman came up one punt return shy of qualifying for the national rankings in 2018, but his 20.1-yard average would have been good for second in the nation.
He clocked a 4.33 time in the 40 at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with a 1.48 10-yard split and 36½-inch vertical.
- Hardman didn't play receiver until he got to Georgia.
He played quarterback and defensive back at Elbert County (Ga.) High School, drawing four- and five-star rankings from various scouting syndicates.
Hardman famously lobbied Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart to allow him to play receiver, beginning with a May 2016 tweet that read: "I heard you might need some fire power at WR? Just call my name and I'll give you more than you need."
He played only special teams during his first year on campus, registering four coverage tackles and one kickoff return as a freshman. The following year, Hardman began carving out a permanent role in Georgia's offense.
