2025 NFL free agency: Packers sign Chiefs free agent Mecole Hardman, per report

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Green Bay Packers are signing wide receiver Mecole Hardman to a one-year deal. Hardman previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs, famously making the game-winning catch to win Super Bowl LVIII in overtime.

“Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the [Packers] on a one-year deal,” Fowler said via X. “Hardman takes his speed from Kansas City to Matt LaFleur’s offense.”

Hardman played in just 12 games this past season but did not make too big of a contribution. On 14 targets, 12 of them resulted in catches for 90 yards. There was some efficiency in those receptions, with half of them resulting in first downs for the Chiefs.

Kansas City did use Hardman on special teams at times too. However, the final five games of the regular season saw Hardman watching from the sideline. He did not record a playoff appearance either as the Chiefs made another run to the Super Bowl before losing to Philadelphia.

Maybe a bigger role will be carved out for him in Green Bay. Wide receiver has been a major talking point for the franchise over recent years, not having a true No. 1 for quarterback Jordan Love. While Hardman does not project as someone to fill that role, he certainly can add some speed to the rotation.

Kansas City Chiefs retain wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. It was reported by Tom Pelissero to be a one-year deal.

Smith-Schuster spent the 2024 season with the Chiefs and had 18 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl but fell short of a third straight title against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Smith-Schuster also played for Kansas City during the 2022 season, winning a Super Bowl. He caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns that year.

JuJu Smith-Schuster spent the first five seasons of his pro career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has only topped the 1,000-yard mark once in his career during the 2018 season as he finished with 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns.

He’ll return now for his ninth overall NFL season and his third with the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster should remain a weapon for Patrick Mahomes as Kansas City looks to bounce back from this past season’s Super Bowl loss.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report