A receiver with much greater career production than Rondale Moore also visited Halas Hall and plays the same position as the former Cardinals and Falcons receiver.
He's also coming off a knee injury, like Moore is.
Chiefs free agent receiver Mecole Hardman made a Monday visit to Halas Hall according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Hardman, an often-injured, quick, slot receiver/Z-receiver type like Moore, has had 178 catches for 2,302 yards, averaging 12.9 yards a catch for his six seasons.
Let’s not forget @MecoleHardman4 sacrificed his body for #ChiefsKingdom in the AFCCG this past year. He wasn’t close to 100% going into the game, but he gave it a go, & then aggravated his abdominal/pelvis injury while making this crucial 3rd down catch. Mecole is a warrior. pic.twitter.com/8F9uqj2pWk
— Chief Concerns (@ConcernsChief) October 18, 2023
Moore, the 5-7, 181-pounder who also visited Monday, is coming off a bad knee injury and missed all of 2024.
He has averaged just 8.9 yards per catch in the NFL Hardman not only averaged more yards per catch than Moore, he caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl LVIII.
We should bring back Mecole Hardman only cause he made this INCREDIBLE catchpic.twitter.com/nuWEBbGAzd https://t.co/WXPPxVVeR0
— hollywood city (@hollywoodhoopss) March 17, 2025
Last season, though, Hardman made only 12 catches and had a knee injury Nov. 29. It required surgery to repair.
The 27-year-old receiver has had just 41 catches over the last three years and was plagued by injuries. He went to the Jets in free agency in 2023, had an abdominal injury that season, then was traded back to the Chiefs but couldn't help Kansas City's 2024 playoff run due to his knee injury.
I wish people would stop saying I be hurt a lot, that just shows who actually pay attention! Played every game for 3 years straight and had a freak injury half way through year 4. A injury where none of y’all don’t even have the slightest idea of what I dealt with when the injury…
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) September 27, 2023
Hardman has been a kick and punt returner for the Chiefs, which is another big reason the Bears would be interested.
He has a 9.2-yard average for 89 career punt returns and averages 23.8 yards per 45 kick returns.
A team source tells me the groin injury sustained by @Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman isn’t severe and that he should be fine.
— Jeffri Chadiha (@jeffrichadiha) August 18, 2022
Because both receivers came to Halas Hall and are coming off injuries, it looks like a case where they wanted to get a good opinion on both players' health before they make any commitment to anyone.
On Monday, they officially signed wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year contract and he essentially plays the same position Hardman and Moore would be signing to play.
Mecole Hardman has touched the ball twice in this game. He fumbled both times.
This time he fumbles out of the endzone for a touchback.
Just wowwww.pic.twitter.com/WYxXWjRh2o
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 22, 2024
X: BearsOnSI