Hardman’s Time With The New York Jets Is A Mystery

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman came to the New York Jets in March sporting two Super Bowl rings. Hardman signed a one-year $4 million contract with Gang Green and seven months later, he is returning to Kansas City. What happened?

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The Jets signed Hardman in the midst of outfitting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (for all four plays) with as many weapons as they could find. The strange thing is, they never used him.

One would look at the way Zach Wilson plays and the lack of offensive line talent, and think that a slot-receiver that is athletic, fast and is skilled at getting separation from his defenders, would be a valuable tool for the Jets, no matter who is lining up behind center. However over the first 6 games of the season, Mecole Hardman only played 28 snaps in those games. 5 plays a game for a guy making $4 million? It doesn't make sense.

The speculation appears to be that Mecole Hardman and the Jets coaching staff didn't get on the same page. Hardman is hardly a problem player or Kansas City would have never taken him back. So, why did offensive coordinator Nate Hackett only have the 25-year old wide receiver targeted 3 times in the games that he played in? And why would Hardman be a healthy scratch? We may never know those answers. However, this appears to be a bad signing by general manager Joe Douglas. There little doubt, at that time in March, Douglas could have used that $4 million to sign some depth players for his weak offensive line.