Mecole Hardman hasn’t been the X-factor on offense that both he and the Jets were hoping he’d be when he signed a one-year deal this offseason. And with the team struggling to find ways to get him involved, reports surfaced this week that the Jets are looking into all options for the speedy receiver, including a potential trade.
On Wednesday, Hardman told reporters that while he personally hasn’t approached the Jets about a trade, he just wants to play -- whether it’s in New York or elsewhere.
“Obviously, the news broke about shopping around or whatever,” Hardman said. “Like to me, I just want to play and get on the field and do some things, whether it’s here or somewhere else, I don’t make that call, so whatever happens, happens, but I’m just working every day. Whenever I get that chance, I’m going to prove it.”
So would Hardman welcome a trade?
“It depends, I guess. If it works for both sides, I guess,” Hardman said. “I don't know. I’ve never been part of this before, so I don’t know how it goes.”
Signed to a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason, the thinking was that Hardman, who was previously a do-it-all type of player with the Kansas City Chiefs, could be a gadget player on offense while also being a key contributor in the return game.
Instead, Hardman has been targeted one time all season -- a six-yard catch against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 -- and he’s played just 10 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps and two percent of their special teams snaps.
“I just come in every day and work, try to practice the best way I can and show my ability the best way I can,” Hardman said. “It’s just really up to the coaches and the coaching staff to see what fit to use me and how they want to use me, and right now there’s probably just better options on their end or they’re just more comfortable with other people. It’s just up to me to just keep working.”
He later added: “Obviously I want to go out there and contribute and help my team win, but as of now, like I said, I guess there’s just better options or they just haven’t called my number yet. But all I can do is just work.”
Hardman was a healthy scratch this past Sunday against the Denver Broncos, and when head coach Robert Saleh was asked about Hardman’s playing time on Wednesday, he answered by talking about Xavier Gipson, who has taken hold of the reins as the Jets’ primary punt returner and is also seeing more and more playing time on offense.
There’s no doubt that Hardman is a big-play threat. He’s averaged 13.8 yards per reception and 23.8 yards per kick return over the course of his career.
But for whatever the reasoning may be, Hardman hasn’t found a role with this Jets team, and his time in New York may be coming to an end much sooner than most could have imagined.