Mecole Hardman praises ‘bulldog’ Chiefs star who can do the ‘dirty work’

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Right after the Super Bowl, Mecole Hardman was let go from the Kansas City Chiefs and was available on the market, but fate brought him back…

The wide receiver signed a one-year contract with KC in June. Hardman was responsible for the touchdown that gave the Chiefs victory in overtime of the SB against the San Francisco 49ers.

Last Friday, the NFL training camp kicked off. In other words, the last phase of the off-season to put in the effort for the three-peat.

The veteran pass-catcher, despite having spent a short period of his career with the New York Jets, has been aware of Kansas City’s winning dynamic since 2019, when he was drafted by the franchise.

Training camp atmosphere

For 14 years, KC has held its training camps at Missouri Western State University.

With this in mind, over the last five years, the golden years of the organisation, this university campus has become a tradition for the players.

After the end of the first of 19 training sessions that will take place between now and the start of the regular season, Mecole Hardman spoke to the media about being back with the team after a while as a free-agent and the feeling of experiencing the atmosphere of the practice facilities.

“I think when you walk in that building – when you step on the field you can feel it. The like, ‘We win here’ type of thing.”

The WR was also asked if he ever received any offers during his time testing the market. He made a point of emphasising the advantages of staying with the Chiefs

“We had a few options, but it just made more sense. [I’m] just more comfortable with being here my whole career. I know the system. I know the coaches… Coach Reid has a good way of putting me on the field and using me in certain situations. So I’m excited.”

Hardman’s offseason knowing he was without a team

Even during the period when he was without a contract with any franchise, Hardman didn’t let his guard down and continued to work hard, confident that he would sign with a team.

He spent time with his former teammate Tyreek Hill at Luther Glover Workouts in Lenexa. Curiously (or not), in Kansas City.

The 26-year-old explained his motivations for this year.

“I wanted to get better at the little things,” said. “Balance. [Getting] my core stronger. I’ve got everything else, man: the speed, the agility – everything like that. I think it’s just the stuff that we don’t work on, you know? Like the single-leg stuff. Get your knees stronger, your ankles stronger. Stuff like that.”

Chiefs’ ‘new face’ according to Hardman

Hardman is a new old acquaintance of KC. His first home and his current one, but new people are always arriving to add to it.

The NFL veteran was asked what he thinks of the 2024 version of the squad so far: “We got a lot of speed, man,” he noted.

“I think we got a good group of guys, Hollywood [Brown], X [Worthy} came. I think they bring another dynamic to the offense. And then you got Rashee, man. [He’s] like a bulldog – like a horse that can do all the dirty work. [He can] get the underneath routes – a lot of YAC (yards after catch) with him. Then I come in with the little gadget stuff here and there… We’ve got a great room. Everybody knows what’s going on. They know their roles.”

Hardman shouldn’t be a starter in this Kansas City squad, but having him as a backup is a gem that few teams can count on their bench.