Mecole Hardman makes instant impact in return to Chiefs with sensational punt return

Welcome back, Mecole.

Just days after being acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, Mecole Hardman gave the Chiefs a big lift at a key moment of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Hardman, who had signed with the Jets as a free agent earlier this year, played sparingly with New York and was glad to return to the Chiefs. He was part of just 28 snaps for the Jets and had one catch.

On Sunday, he made a big impact for the Chiefs, the team that drafted him in 2019.

The Chiefs led 24-17 in the fourth quarter and had forced the Chargers to punt. LA had hoped to pin the Chiefs deep in their own territory. Instead, Hardman ripped off a 50-yard return, taking the ball from the Chiefs’ 15-yard line to the Chargers’ 35.

The Chiefs converted the short field into a touchdown and Hardman contributed on the drive. He caught a 6-yard pass from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

That matched Hardman’s receiving yardage from his time with the Jets.