Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman Grills Jets After Short Stint: 'Mahomes, Get Me Out!'
Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman revealed the dysfunctional side of the New York Jets, namely their offense, in a recent podcast interview with Ryan Clark. (RC wasn't doing much of the talking, thankfully.)
If the Jets looked lost on offense last year, it was due to a complete lack of planning, said Hardman.
Hardman went scorched earth on his former team.
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Mecole Hardman Jr. #6 of the New York Jets warms up prior to a football game at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches a pass for a touchdown to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
"You just got a new (offensive) coaching staff that came in and there’s no standard there," Hardman commented on The Pivot podcast.
New York's dysfunction highlighted several suspects; chief among them was offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Considered a bad fit as coach after his tenure in Denver, Hackett seemingly landed the job in New York last offseason as part of the ‘Aaron Rodgers Demands List.'
The coordinator's failing approach to the offense is letting players freestyle on the field.
"Everybody does what they want to do," Hardman admitted, contrasting the experience with his time in Kansas City.
Hardman did credit the Jets defense for being the glue on a busted team. "Granted, the defense has more of a stabilized standard with the coaching staff on that side, so the defense has a standard."
"But the offense is just like, 'We’ll just figure it out. It’s Aaron [Rodgers’] show. Let Aaron do what Aaron does.’ Then, when Aaron goes down, it’s like we don’t know what to do," he said.
Jets fans were stunned as their offense's value plummeted with an injury to Aaron Rodgers in Week 1. Despite having wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, top-tier NFL skill players, ineptitude at the coaching level sunk the Jets offense. So, Hardman was glad to escape from New York.
(How much longer will Aaron Rodgers play in the NFL? Let us know your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
Hardman started the year on the Jets roster only to be traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs and win his third Super Bowl in KC. As the cherry on top, Hardman caught the game-winning Super Bowl touchdown in overtime (better to be lucky than good).
"I was so checked out, like, it was over with. I had already talked to [Brett Veach] and Pat [Mahomes], like, ‘Come get me,’" Hardman admitted.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after catching the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Things worked out for Mecole, whereas the Jets' offense remains aimless: relying on a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers to kickstart production, coming off an Achilles tear, as well as boasting a porous offensive line.
The path ahead for the Jets looks Hard, man.
Follow along on X:@AlejandroAveela