First impressions mean a lot in the NFL, even if you’re an established veteran like Mecole Hardman. After a rocky performance in the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener, Hardman is facing the wrath of the fanbase and his head coach heading into Week 2.
It’s not as though Hardman hasn’t had his ups and downs throughout his NFL career. He never completely caught on as a big-time receiving threat in Kansas City’s electric offense, but he’s always been able to come up with a big play from time to time. He signed with the New York Jets in 2023, hoping to make more of an impact in their offense, but that quickly went awry, and he was sent back to Kansas City.
But after dropping a pass, muffing a punt, and fielding another inside the five, Hardman all but topped the list among the many Packers who stumbled out of the gate. He’ll certainly need to rebound, but that’s if he can find the opportunity to do so.
Packers make early changes to returner depth chart that put Mecole Hardman's roster spot in danger
The Packers returned to the practice field on Monday after their humbling showing in the preseason opener, and head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff have already put some players on notice for their poor performance, including Hardman. According to Packer Report’s Andy Herman, Hardman’s reps as the top kick returner have been taken away in favor of other options.
Running back Israel Abanikanda got the first-team reps as the kick returner in practice, and Savion Williams got the second-team reps. Abanikanda returned all five kicks in the preseason opener, totalling 147 yards, giving him an average of 29.4 yards per return.
Considering the league’s changes to the kick return rules, averaging 30 yards is a great mark to put the Packers near the new touchback position of the 35-yard line, a crucial advantage teams like the Packers will want to reap the benefits of this season.
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But just like Abanikanda, Hardman’s path to making the roster is as a special teams return man. Hardman only had the punt return duties last Saturday, and both went poorly while Abanikanda thrived in his role. The Packers are deep at receiver and running back, so Abanikanda and Hardman are effectively fighting over this roster spot at this point.
Certainly, the Packers don’t have much need for both players, especially if Williams is picking up any slack as the secondary option in the return game. Abanikanda holds the advantage early on and could continue to thrive as he leans on his speed in the return game.
As for Hardman, he’ll have to lock in and eliminate the mental mistakes to have a shot at making the final 53-man roster.