Kansas City Chiefs star knew he'd play in Super Bowl despite mid-season trade
Mecole Hardman, the wide receiver for Kansas City Chiefs, always believed he'd be playing in Super Bowl LVIII, but with a different team.
He started the season with the New York Jets after leaving the Chiefs in March 2023 and swapped playing with Patrick Mahomes for Aaron Rodgers as he embarked on a new adventure. There was a lot of hope that the Jets would end their 13-season playoff drought and even make a Super Bowl push with Rodgers at the franchise, but those dreams were dashed in Week 1.
When Rodgers decided to leave the Green Bay Packers and became the new face of the Jets, momentum started to build in New Jersey, and early signs in summer camp showed that Hardman would be a major target for the veteran quarterback. But a torn Achilles in their season opener against the Buffalo Bills ended Rodgers' season, and the Jets were back to square one.
Things didn't work out for Hardman either, and after barely being used by the Jets he returned to the Chiefs just seven months after originally leaving Kansas City. Despite a tough 2023 season, Hardman finds himself in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, but not under the circumstances he expected.
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"Well, I thought I'd be here with the Jets! But I'm happy to be here, I don't take any of this for granted," Hardman confessed to Mirror Sport. "Playing with Aaron Rodgers it's a blessing. It's a bit of a flex doing it as a receiver and he's one of the best to ever do it."
Sadly for Hardman, he never got the chance to play professionally with Rodgers, who has not yet completed a single pass since joining the Jets. Rodgers injured his Achilles on his first drive as a Jet player, and his record still shows zero completions from one attempt.
Despite Rodgers' ill-fated 2023 season, things have gone swimmingly for Hardman. At just 25, he's back in the Super Bowl and could become a three-time champion. He's achieved more than most NFL players will in their entire careers and knows it.
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Hardman had ambitions with Aaron Rodgers this season but they ended in Week 1 (No credit)"I'm happy I've been able to catch footballs for both of them, him (Rodgers) and Patrick. Playing with Mahomes," Hardman added. "A blessing man, this life is crazy." Although Hardman only made one six-yard catch during his stint with the Jets, he has made 16 catches in nine games since returning to the Chiefs.
Hardman is still finding his feet again after his breakout year in 2021, but Mahomes revealed on Wednesday he's delighted to have the wide receiver back in the building. "He can stretch the defense horizontally and vertically," Mahomes said. "He's loved in the locker room."
Mahomes has shared the field with Hardman in every Super Bowl appearance throughout his career, and both players will suit up again on Sunday as they attempt to win their third Championship since 2019. Hardman has gained a whole new perspective since returning to the Chiefs and found out the hard way that the grass isn't always greener.
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