The Kansas City Chiefs haven't done a whole lot in free agency to improve their roster after losing in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles.
They lost three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears and let veteran five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins depart to the Baltimore Ravens. In the meantime, they haven't brought in any significant new pieces that could help them get over the hump in 2025.
On Tuesday, they lost another contributor when wide receiver Mecole Hardman chose to sign a one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. He had played five and a half seasons with them, and while his targets had diminished over the last couple of seasons, he put himself in Chiefs lore forever by making the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl LVIII.
BREAKING: Wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the Packers on a one-year deal, per @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/XZB0AAcpnU
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 18, 2025
Some Chiefs fans are saddened by the news that Hardman is leaving the team after winning three Vince Lombardi Trophies with it.
"I will never forget how Mecole Hardman helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII. You will always be a 3x Super Bowl Champion! And part of #ChiefsKingdom forever! Thank you for all the memories!" one fan said to thank the wideout.
"Best of luck, @MecoleHardman4!! Will miss you terribly!" another fan said.
"Thank you Mecole Hardman! The one chiefs WR that I always defend no matter what. I will miss how he just becomes Randy Moss any game vs the niners," one fan said.
"I get it. Thank you for your service Hard Man 2 Catch. @MecoleHardman4 Forever grateful." said an additional fan.
"He'll be back," said another fan.
"Can't wait to trade for him mid season again," one more fan said.
Hardman was a second-round pick by Kansas City in 2019. As a rookie, he caught 26 passes for 538 yards and six touchdowns, and he also had 704 yards and one touchdown on 27 kick returns.
Two years ago, he signed with the New York Jets as a free agent, only to be traded back to the Chiefs at midseason, which allowed him to win a third Super Bowl with the franchise.
In Green Bay, Hardman will infuse a rising Packers team with some much-needed speed, and the hope there is that head coach Matt LaFleur and young quarterback Jordan Love will unlock more of his potential that went untapped in Kansas City.
Last season, Hardman had 12 catches for 90 yards and scored one rushing touchdown in 12 games.
Related: AJ Dillon Sends Parting Message to Packers After Eagles Decision
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM.