Kansas City Chiefs re-sign Super Bowl winner Mecole Hardman, new XFL style rules could suit him

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The Kansas City Chiefs are on their second last day of scheduled OTAs before the mandatory minicamp and have used their time to asses their roster just like Brett Veach articulated.

Today it has been confirmed that the last-second touchdown winner in overtime Mecole Hardman will be signing a one-year deal.

The Kansas City Chiefs resigned the wide receiver after he left for the Big Apple in 2023 via a trade with the New York Jets.

Mecole Hardman leaves the New York Jets and receives frosty backlash over his remarks

Mecole Hardman struggled to settle into his new home after four years on the Chiefs roster as a two-time Super Bowl winner.

Moreover, the now-Chief caught just one solitary pass in five games before seeking a desperate trade away from the Jets.

The Jets were happy to see the back of the receiver, as his comments prompted punter Thomas Morstead and Sauce Gardner to speak out.

He returned to Kansas City and played a decisive role in their Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.

Chiefs decided to pursue other talent despite Hardman’s Super Bowl heroics

Hardman caught the game-winning touchdown to break the Niners’ hearts and proved to the franchise why they were right to bring him home.

However, General Manager Brett Veach decided to let the 26-year-old hit the open market as they chose not to offer him a new deal.

Instead, the front office authorized the signing of free agent Marquise Brown, a like-for-like deep-threat replacement.

Furthermore, they drafted Xavier Worthy to add more vertical speed downfield and the rookie has put pen to paper on his four-year deal.

Brett Veach suggests the franchise would move on from Hardman but will analyze the OTAs

Mecole Hardman’s return has come as a surprise after Brett Veach’s comments in April after the NFL Draft.

The key figurehead was asked about the returns of Chiefs free agents left tackle starter Donovan Smith and Hardman.

“I think we’ll use this OTA period to kind of assess that. I think we kind of feel good right now. . . I think for right now, we’re going to let these young guys go out there and see what they can do,” the GM responded

Veach implied the franchise was more than comfortable with where the roster was at and believed in the younger talent to be suitable replacements.

Nonetheless, Rashee Rice’s off-field incident has meant his availability is uncertain.

Therefore, Hardman could have been brought in as backup to protect the Chiefs if they were to be a man down.

The new special teams kickoff rule could see Hardman slot in for Dave Toub

In addition, the new kickoff rule, which was inspired by the XFL, encourages teams to return the ball more frequently.

An agile player of Hardman’s profile could be the perfect fit for Dave Toub on special teams, as he hinted that there could be some drastic changes.

Veach has decided to sanction the return of Hardman but Chiefs Kingdom will wait to find out how he will be utilized.