The Kansas City Chiefs are totally locked in on bouncing back in 2025 and making another deep postseason. Training camp is where teams and players can get better. Not everyone is set to make the final roster, and this is the place where guys start to make their imprint on the coaching staff.
Several former Chiefs players are suiting elsewhere in 2025, and WR Mecole Hardman is one of them. He joined the Green Bay Packers on a one-year deal, and according to his new head coach, Matt LaFleur, Hardman is making big plays in practice.
When speaking to the media on Wednesday, LaFleur said, “He’s made a splash play every day … He’s certainly a playmaker, and we know what type of player he can be as a returner.”
Packers HC Matt LaFleur on Mecole Hardman:
“He’s made a splash play everyday. … He’s certainly a playmaker, and we know what type of player he can be as a returner.”
LaFleur notes that consistency is the key for Hardman and other receivers competing for roles.
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) August 6, 2025
Former Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman is Standing Out with New Team
Throughout Hardman’s six-year career, his best production has come with the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a brief stint with the New York Jets in 2023 before getting traded back to KC.
In 80 career games with the Chiefs, he has secured 178 receptions for 2,302 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Hardman has also racked up 819 punt return yards, 1,073 kick return yards, and two total touchdowns.
The Georgia product is hoping his second stint outside of Kansas City is better than the first one, and it seems like he’s off to a good start. Green Bay’s WR room is very deep, and Hardman must consistently put his best foot forward in every practice session.
His speed is something that makes him stand out, and teams will always have a use for that. Back in June, during minicamp, Hardman reeled in a deep touchdown pass from Jordan Love that was 70-plus yards.
These are the types of plays that get the staff’s attention and make them want to keep you around. And based on LaFleur’s comments, it appears that Hardman has continued to keep his foot on the gas.
Green Bay has a couple of locks to make the team at receiver. That includes Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and Savion Williams. With Watson rehabbing back from a torn ACL, that leaves an additional spot available.
Hardman still has to beat out Cornelius Johnson, Malik Heath, Will Sheppard, and Julian Hicks to make the team, but his resume and versatility on special teams likely give him an advantage. The next couple of weeks between preseason games and training camp will be key for Hardman.
It seems like he’s on the right track, but he needs to keep up his solid summer to make the Packers’ final 53-man roster.
