KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Mecole Hardman awaited the fourth-quarter punt from the Los Angeles Chargers’ JK Scott, he had already decided what he was going to do with the football.
“Honestly, I was going to return it no matter what,” Hardman said. “I think I had my mind made up already. Especially I think it was like a safe kind of punt return. Usually when we’re in safe, people tend to relax a little. But I think no matter what I was going to take that one, but he definitely gave me a great ball, not too much hang time. So just off initially I knew I could return it.”
Return it Hardman did. Scott boomed a 58-yard punt back to the Kansas City 15-yard line, and Hardman erased almost all of the yardage, before getting pushed out of bounds at the Chargers 35-yard line. Six players later Isiah Pacheco took a short pass from Patrick Mahomes into the end zone for an 8-yard score that put the finishing touches on a 31-17 Chiefs’ victory over the Chargers.
“Man, I should have cribbed it, that’s what I thought at first, man,” Hardman said. “But I got to say I watched the video, I did everything right. But now just getting that play, and making this explosive play for the team and trying to set up that touchdown drive, It means a lot and I’m trying to get our guys going.”
It was a huge opportunity for Hardman, who just four days ago was a member of the New York Jets. The Chiefs and Jets swapped late-round 2025 NFL draft selections (the Chiefs sent their sixth-round pick to New York in exchange for a seventh-round choice) allowing Hardman to return to the franchise he started his NFL career.
Hardman’s return wasn’t perfect. He and Patrick Mahomes missed connections on a third-and-7 pass on the team’s opening drive that culminated in a Harrison Butker field goal from 35 yards. That was the team’s only red zone trip of that didn’t end with a touchdown. Hardman was also on the intended end of Mahomes’ only interception of the day, a deep throw down the left sideline intercepted by Asante Samuel Jr.
Yet Hardman kept alive the very drive he set up with his punt return by connecting with Mahomes for a completion on third-and-6 just one play before Pacheco’s touchdown. That 6-yard completion was his only catch on three targets, an identical stat line to his totals through the first six weeks with the Jets.
Given his arrival in Kansas City on Thursday after the Chiefs had already locked in their game plan against the Chargers, Hardman was sprinkled in for just 11 snaps on offense, according to Pro Football Focus. Hardman also didn’t feature in some of the plays for which he’s best known, such as jet sweeps, receiver screens and orbit motions.
But special teams were definitely a big part of the plan for Hardman, who served as the team’s kick and punt returner. It’s only the beginning of reintroducing Hardman into the game plan, said head coach Andy Reid.
“(Special teams coordinator) Dave Toub had a plan for Mecole and the guys blocked their hearts out for him and he busted that punt out,” Reid said. “That was a huge play and then he came back and had a big catch. So welcome back, Mecole. We only got him here on Thursday, so we’ll just keep adding stuff to his menu there.”
Hardman said he felt comfortable with how the team fit him into Sunday’s game.
“I had a few plays in, just waiting for Big Red to call, dial me up man,” Hardman said. “But today we did good and whenever I got in I just tried to do the best I could.”
Mahomes took the blame for the early missed connection with Hardman. He’s also impressed with how Hardman bounced back from his struggles in New York to a successful return to Kansas City.
“The first third down, I missed him,” Mahomes said. “He actually read it well, he saw a linebacker pushing to him. I saw the corner outside but Trav(is) (Kelce) was going to take that guy out of the way so he actually saw it the right way and I missed him. Then the last one was cover zero and he used his speed, getting through traffic and making a big catch to get that first down. It’s impressive because he didn’t have the season that he wanted in New York but to be able to come back, have confidence, not be down on himself, and know that whenever he gets his opportunities, he’ll do the most with it.”
Hardman’s former teammates welcomed him back with open arms. Perhaps the teammate happiest to see Hardman back in the Chiefs locker room is fellow receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had his best game of the season coinciding with Hardman’s return. Valdes-Scantling hauled in three catches for 84 yards including a 46-yard touchdown.
“Me and Mecole have a great friendship that stayed true even when he left,” Valdes-Scantling said. “He was one of the first guys I talked to when I got here. Being able to bring him back and enjoy his energy – he’s a loud one. He’s energetic and his play shows. He’s electric and you saw that today.”
Indeed, Hardman says it feels natural being back in the Chiefs locker room.
“Man, it feels great,” he said. “Just knowing that the team wanted me back, especially going out and trading for me means a lot. I mean, they kind of see something in me, believe in me a little bit, which is great. Just like I said, being around everybody I’ve been the last four years, it’s good to come in this locker room and help this team. I’m happy about it.”
