Mecole Hardman stumbled through his Green Bay Packers debut, struggling in a 30-10 preseason loss to the New York Jets. The veteran receiver and return specialist committed costly mistakes that likely hurt his bid for a roster spot in the Packers’ crowded receiving corps.
Hardman, who joined the Packers on a one-year deal this offseason, is battling for a backup receiver spot and the lead return role. With established players like Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams already in place, roster-bubble candidates like Hardman have almost no room for mistakes.
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The 27-year-old, who once hauled in the game-winning touchdown in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII, is now fighting to secure a roster spot with the Packers. In the preseason opener, he made it clear through his performance that he sees plenty of work ahead to earn his place on the team.
Mecole Hardman with the Packers
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The Packers’ night took a turn when Mecole Hardman made the risky choice to field a punt at their own 5-yard line, leaving the offense backed up. Two plays after the decision, he dropped a pass near the sideline, forcing a third-and-long. The next play ended in a strip-sack that the Jets returned for a touchdown. In the second quarter, his troubles mounted when he mishandled a bouncing punt, giving New York yet another scoring opportunity.
“I have to go back and take a peek at it. It seems like a pretty routine play that happens more often than not, where you can scoop that (bouncing) punt up. I was disappointed with that, but we also can’t field a punt at the 5-yard line. Those were obviously two bad decisions,” remarked Packers head coach Matt LaFleur after the game.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
A ninth-year veteran, Hardman admitted both choices carried heavy risk, yet he took them as part of the desperate push players on the roster bubble often make in the preseason. He closed the game with one target, no catches, and two punt returns for no yards, later conceding that his decisions cost the team.
With the Packers deep at receiver and aiming to reduce return responsibilities for starters like Reed and Keisean Nixon, Hardman’s value on special teams becomes even more important. However, Saturday’s struggles cast doubt on his ability to lock down that job. With only two joint practices and two preseason games left, he has little time to rebound and convince the coaches he deserves a spot on the final 53-man roster.
