Even with Christian Watson set for the reserve/PUP listing, Inexperienced Bay had assembled a deep group of vast receivers after utilizing first- and third-round picks to handle the place. This left Hardman in an unsure spot, and the previous Tremendous Bowl hero shall be jettisoned months after signing with the Packers.
Hardman has been unable to stay anyplace however Kansas Metropolis. The Jets minimize bait on their free-agency deal months after authorizing it, sending Hardman again to the Chiefs in a pick-swap deal. That arrange Hardman to play a key function down the stretch with Kansas Metropolis, and he memorably snagged Patrick Mahomes‘ game-winning providing to safe the Chiefs a second straight Tremendous Bowl title. However minimal free-agency curiosity adopted, main Hardman to a one-year, $1.13M Chiefs deal in 2024.
The Packers gave Hardman a one-year, $1.5M deal that included $150K assured. Inexperienced Bay will solely be answerable for that $150K in lifeless cash through this launch. Hardman, 27, will head straight to free company. It’s doable Hardman might keep in Inexperienced Bay on a practice-squad deal, however that continues to be to be seen. The Packers have a crowded depth chart at WR — to the purpose Bo Melton switched positions (to cornerback).
The workforce returns Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams supplemented that duo within the draft, giving the Pack an array of choices whereas Watson recovers from a Week 18 ACL tear. Watson is anticipated to be activated round midseason.
Hardman’s greatest path to a Packers function got here within the return sport, as the previous second-round choose has an All-Professional honor (as a kick returner) on his resume. For probably the most half, nevertheless, Hardman’s return-game work has come on punts. He would stay an intriguing possibility in that capability, on the very least, upon returning to free company.
