NFL News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Mecole Hardman Jr. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen A. Smith says Chiefs WR should consider suing if Jets allegations are false

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/1/24

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said Friday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman should consider filing a lawsuit if recent allegations by several members of the New York Jets are false.

It was reported on Wednesday that numerous Jets players believed Hardman leaked the team's game plans to their opponents before he was traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 31.

Deleted tweet from Sauce Gardner pic.twitter.com/wssNy1Jf5h
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) February 28, 2024

Yes, I’m told there was validated belief from the #Jets that WR Mecole Hardman, frustrated by his lack-of usage, leaked game plans to the opposition, as implied by several players (Sauce Gardner, Kenny Yeboah) today.

Not just the #Eagles game, but also the #Chiefs.… pic.twitter.com/d6LlvPnDaJ
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) February 29, 2024

Stephen A. Smith says Mecole Hardman has grounds for a lawsuit if the allegations of him leaking the Jets' game plan aren't true.

"That's a career-ender. What locker room could he possibly go in if somebody believes it's true?... if the Jets are wrong, he got to consider legal… pic.twitter.com/bI3BsYdHjK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 1, 2024

The recent drama comes in the wake of Hardman's negative comments about his stay with Gang Green last season.

Per a report from Christian Arnold of the New York Post, the 25-year-old said that there was "no standard" with the team's offense last season. Hardman added that when star quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with his Achilles injury in Week 1, the unit was like "we don't know what to do."

New York punter Thomas Morstead fired back at the three-time Super Bowl champion, writing on social media on Wednesday.

Be careful getting information from disgruntled former employees. Getting beat out by a rookie free agent after being guaranteed millions of dollars is tough to deal with. Entitlement is a killer of opportunity. You have to earn it every year.
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) February 28, 2024

Adding to the frenzy, during an interview with NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano last week, Hardman laughed at the idea of potentially returning to the Jets during the upcoming free agency period.

He was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent the first four seasons of his career with the squad. Hardman signed with New York last March but registered just one reception for six yards on three targets across five games with the team.

After six regular season contests with limited production in Kansas City this past campaign, he struggled in the group's first three playoff games.

Then in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, despite playing only 19 snaps, Hardman finished with three catches for 57 yards and the game-winning touchdown reception in overtime.

More must-reads: