Jets GM: Mecole Hardman's 'Come Get Me' Comments to Chiefs 'Resonated with Us'

Veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman admitted earlier this week that he was so unhappy with the New York Jets during the 2023 season that he told his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, to "come get me."

Hardman's remarks aren't sitting well with the Jets, to say the least.

"I'll just say those comments definitely resonated with us," general manager Joe Douglas told reporters Wednesday.

Speaking on The Pivot Podcast earlier this week, Hardman detailed his issues with the Jets, most notably his lack of playing time, and said that by Week 4 he had contacted the Chiefs to bring him home.

"I was so checked out, like, it was over with," Hardman said, per Jared Dubin of CBS Sports. "I had already talked to [Chiefs general manager Brett] Veach and Pat [Mahomes], like, 'Come get me.'"

After Hardman's comments on wanting to return to the Chiefs began to heat up on social media, he clarified on X that he "never had talks with KC before the trade."

The 25-year-old likely clarified his remarks in hopes of avoiding a tampering investigation by the NFL. Teams aren't allowed to have direct contact with players of another team, and doing so could result in the loss of draft picks.

Hardman signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Jets ahead of the 2023 season following four seasons with the Chiefs. He appeared in just five games for Gang Green, catching one pass for six yards and playing just 10 percent of offensive snaps.

Hardman also spent time as New York's punt returner, though he lost that role to rookie Xavier Gipson.

The Chiefs acquired Hardman in October ahead of a Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He went on to catch 14 passes for 118 yards in six games. He also caught five passes for 62 yards in four playoff games and caught the Super Bowl 58-winning touchdown.

Hardman is now set for free agency, and it's unclear if the Chiefs have any plans of bringing him back for the 2024 campaign. One thing is likely certain—he won't be going back to the Meadowlands.