The Kansas City Chiefs bring back Mecole Hardman. It’s not help at the weak wide receiver position. It’s not enough to make the Super Bowl. One comment.

Even in the NFL, there are some very strange personnel decisions from time to time. The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, brought back wide receiver Mecole Hardman this week and traded draft picks with the New York Jets for day three in the 2025 draft. And the question inevitably arises: What was that all about?

As a reminder, Hardman has been with the Chiefs for the past four seasons and won the Super Bowl twice with the team, but he did not take a prominent role. In no season at Missouri did he reach the 700-yard mark; he was a role player, nothing more.

Unsurprisingly, Kansas City opted not to extend the pass receiver’s contract after last season and he became a free agent. The path led him to the New York Jets, where Hardman has caught exactly one ball so far this season. And this player, of all players, is supposed to address the Chiefs’ quality deficit?

There is no question that the Chiefs needed to address the position. But the trade didn’t change that. What the reigning champs need for quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a reliable option on the outside of the field. For all the rest, Travis Kelce is there. But Kelce alone can’t do it all.

The departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster in the offseason was not absorbed, and the current candidates on the roster are too inconsistent or inexperienced. Kadarius Toney falters too much, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is nothing more than a solid number three and Skyy Moore is fine on special teams.

The most promising hope is rookie Rashee Rice, but he is slow to find his role. What the Chiefs would need is a seasoned outside receiver who has made his mark in the league at a high level over the years. A DeAndre Hopkins, for instance, who was available but went to the Tennessee Titans.

For the Regular Season the squad is sufficient as it is, especially since the defense is playing at an unexpectedly high level. But for the playoffs, the lineup at the receiver position is too thin and qualitatively insufficient. In the AFC, opponents like the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins and maybe once again the Cincinnati Bengals will be waiting.

Chiefs need to be active once again

All three teams have at least one absolute star receiver, Kelce can’t compensate for that alone. He needs help at the highest level. But it’s not just him, it’s Mahomes as well. The Chiefs seem confident in their quarterback’s exceptional ability to get more out of average, too.

But running routes, creating separation and, most importantly, catching balls, the receivers already have to do it themselves, no matter how accurately Mahomes throws. He can put receivers in the spotlight, but he can’t conjure up quality that isn’t there.

The Chiefs still have until Oct. 31 to look at other teams, when the trade deadline is. And the franchise would be well advised to make another move – and do it right this time. Otherwise, there will be no next Super Bowl.