New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas says the team became aware of Mecole Hardman’s claim that he made a plea to the Chiefs shortly before being traded back to Kansas City.
Hardman revealed this week that he told Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and quarterback Patrick Mahomes to bring him back to Kansas City weeks before the trade, while explaining why his brief tenure as a Jet didn’t work out.
“I was so taken aback that it was all over,” he said of his time at MetLife Stadium. “I had already talked to (general manager Brett) Veach and Pat (Mahomes) like, ‘Come get me.'”
And Douglas said Wednesday that Hardman’s revelation raised eyebrows in New York.
“I’ll just say those comments definitely resonated with us,” the Jets general manager told reporters about his former player at the NFL combine.
Jets GM Joe Douglas said Mecole Hardman’s plea to ‘come get me’ resonated in New York
Hardman returned to the Chiefs and caught the Super Bowl-winning touchdown this month.
The 25-year-old had left the Chiefs last year in free agency to sign a one-year deal with New York, but midseason the Jets traded Hardman back to the Chiefs along with a seventh-round pick. in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
The Jets may choose to explore possible tampering charges against the Chiefs due to Hardman’s comments, which could potentially lead to Kansas City being penalized with draft picks if he is found guilty.
Hardman attempted to clarify his comments in a post on The Jets handled my trade on their own and did the right thing by sending me back to KC!
During an appearance on NFL Network last week, Hardman laughed at the possibility of re-signing with New York this year while discussing his impending free agency.
Hardman only played 28 snaps and had one reception during his short time with the Jets.
The wide receiver attempted to clarify his recent comments in a tweet he posted on X.
After returning to Kansas City, Hardman took on a much larger role in the offense and recorded 14 receptions for 118 yards.
More importantly, he recorded the game-winning touchdown for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Hardman also spent the day being accused by several of his former teammates in New York of leaking the Jets’ game plans to their opponents out of discontent.
