Green Bay Packers sign former Georgia WR, Super Bowl hero
Green Bay Packers sign former Georgia WR, Super Bowl hero
Another Georgia Bulldog found a new home in free agency. The Green Bay Packers signed former Bulldog Mecole Hardman to a one-year contract, according to Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
Hardman was a five-star recruit when he was signed by Georgia in 2016. He played three seasons with the Bulldogs, racking up 60 receptions for 911 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a big touchdown in the 2018 national championship. He also starred as a special teamer, fielding 39 punt returns for 592 yards and 35 kick returns for 875 yards.
Teams were interested in Hardman's raw attributes during the 2019 NFL draft. He ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, one of the fastest in Georgia history. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Hardman 59th overall in the 2019 draft.
Hardman has been a depth receiver primarily for the Kansas City Chiefs. He also had a brief stint with the New York Jets. He became one of the best punt returners in the league, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl and becoming a 2nd-team All-Pro in 2019. With the Chiefs, he won three Super Bowls (LIV, LVII, and LVIII). He scored the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl 53.
With Green Bay he will more than likely be useful depth due to the injury history of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. He will do tremendous work for the Packers' special teams too, since they were ranked dead last in punt return yardage and in the bottom ten in average yards per punt return last season.
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