Raiders Explore Surprise Opportunity with Former Chiefs Star Mecole Hardman—Could This Be a Game-Changer?

Mecole Hardman’s journey through the NFL has been anything but dull—and now, here he is in Las Vegas, chasing a fresh start with the Raiders. If you’ve followed the wide receiver’s rollercoaster, you know 2025 hasn’t seen him light up the scoreboard; after a stint on the Packers’ practice squad, he’s been off the field. The 27-year-old, once a promising second-round pick by the Chiefs back in 2019, dazzled in Kansas City—151 receptions, plus his dynamic punt and kickoff returns. Yet, his recent chapters took him from a quiet Jets tenure to a dramatic Super Bowl-winning catch back with the Chiefs, followed by limited snaps in 2024. Now, he’s taking another crack at the NFL grind alongside other hopefuls like D.J. Turner and Israel Abanikanda during Raiders tryouts. The question is: can Hardman reclaim that spark? LEARN MORE

Former Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was in Las Vegas on Tuesday to try out for the Raiders.

Hardman was most recently on the Packers’ practice squad at the start of this season but hasn’t played in a game in 2025.

A 2019 second-round pick of the Chiefs, the 27-year-old Hardman had a solid start to his career, spending four years in Kansas City and catching 151 passes while also returning punts and kickoffs.

After signing with the Jets in free agency in 2023, Hardman barely got on the field and was then traded back to the Chiefs. Hardman caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl at the end of that season. He remained with the Chiefs in 2024 but played only sparingly.

The Raiders also tried out wide receiver D.J. Turner, wide receiver Hal Presley, guard Layden Robinson and running back Israel Abanikanda.