Mecole Hardman aiming to help Chiefs by any means necessary
Plus transactions, latest KCSN podcasts, Substack articles and more Chiefs news.
Charles Goldman
The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed back a familiar face at practice on Thursday.
Mecole Hardman was back with the team after being acquired in a trade from the New York Jets. This reunion is one that will provide Hardman a fresh start in Kansas City, one where he can perhaps carve out a role without having such steep expectations attached.
“Hopefully I can get into a role where I can help out the team any way I can honestly,” Hardman explained. “There’s not much I’m not trying to do, wherever they need me at, whether that’s return, whether that’s as a receiver, (if) they need me to go on kickoff, let me know. I’m just here to help the best I can.”
The coaching staff in Kansas City is still deciphering what Hardman’s role will look like exactly. He’ll be used on both offense and special teams, but right now, they’re simply looking to get him prepared to return and play in a system he’s familiar with.
“We’re working through all that right now, just kind of going through everything and trying to figure out where we’re at, where he’s at,” Chiefs OC Matt Nagy said on Thursday. “You’ve got to remember, too, a lot of this for him is quote-on-quote riding a bike and jumping back into it, but (he) also just spent several months learning somewhat of a new offense and new terms. So, right away it’s not always just super simple, but it is certainly easier for someone like him who’s been here to come back in and go. So plan wise, (we’ll) see where he’s at physically, mentally and then see where we’re at too with everyone else and try to fit him in because he can do some good things for us.”
One area where Hardman could provide a boost is in the deep passing game. The speedster has always had a knack for stretching the field, but his role in that department could ultimately depend on how much two-deep coverage defenses decide to run against Kansas City.
“Obviously, Mecole (Hardman) has a lot of speed, so he can get down there,” Chiefs QB coach David Girardi said. “It’s going to end up being how the defenses play us and things like that. Maybe they are playing deeper and still trying to take away the deep shot, and we have to be patient and work underneath. That could happen, but you just have to see how the defense reacts.”
The BEST stats heading into the Chiefs’ Week 7 game vs. the Chargers:
Joe Cullen on Charles Omenihu’s return to play:
The Chiefs will have their intended defensive line for the first time this season in Week 7. Charles Omenihu is expected to make his return following a six-game suspension and complete Kansas City’s defensive line room. Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen spoke about Omenihu’s return with reporters on Thursday.
“Well, I’ll say this, he was waiting for me Friday morning when he was able to come back full-time,” Cullen said. “He’s excited, we’re excited. Charles (Omenihu) has worked hard, and we’re glad to have him. He’s a good football player. He’s working through things, and we’re glad to have him back.”
Omenihu recorded seven sacks and 61 pressures as a rotational pass rusher with the San Francisco 49ers last season.
KCSN Update - Mecole Hardman BACK in KC - Chiefs TRADE for Jets WR:
Tucker Franklin, BJ Kissel, and Matt Lane go live to react to the Kansas City Chiefs trading the New York Jets for wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Thursday Injury Report:
Chiefs:
Chargers:
Quick Hits:
Important Dates Ahead:
- Oct. 22: Chargers at Chiefs - Week 7
- Oct. 29: Chiefs at Broncos - Week 8
- Oct. 31: NFL Trade Deadline
