When the Green Bay Packers first entered their offseason, many expected them to focus on signing a free agent wide receiver. Christian Watson will miss most of the 2025 NFL season due to a torn ACL in Week 18, and the rest of Green Bay’s wide receivers struggled with drops in 2024.
Of course, many Packers fans were hoping that the wide receiver the team targeted in free agency (or in a trade) would be a bonified number one pass catcher who could become Jordan Love‘s go-to target in the passing game.
But, one by one, players like Davante Adams, DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, and Cooper Kupp came off the board. What is more, it was revealed that Green Bay did not even attempt to acquire any of those players.
Instead, they have acquired a former Pro Bowler who is also a three-time Super Bowl Champion.
The Green Bay Packers Are Signing Former Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Mecole Hardman
Just a few moments ago, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the Packers are signing former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman to a one-year contract:
Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the #Packers on a one-year deal.
Hardman takes his speed from Kansas City to Matt LaFleur’s offense. pic.twitter.com/KKsbMVKg2G
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 18, 2025
Hardman, of course, has won three Super Bowls in his career, all with the Chiefs. He made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season (2019) when he had 26 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns. He was also named Second Team All-Pro that year.
However, the Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades were because of his domination as a kick returner, as he had 704 kickoff return yards, which included a 104-yard return for a touchdown.
The signing of Hardman makes sense for the Packers for two reasons. First, his speed makes him a good fill-in for Watson who, as mentioned, will miss most of the upcoming season due to his torn ACL. Second, it does not sound like Keisean Nixon wants to return kicks anymore, and Hardman gives Green Bay an option to take that role as well.
Last season, Hardman caught just 12 passes for 90 yards. The year before, split with the New York Jets and Chiefs, he had 15 receptions for 124 yards.
He is best known, however, as catching the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII.
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