New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner didn’t mince words when discussing former teammate Mecole Hardman, asserting that Hardman had failed to earn his place within the team before being traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hardman’s second stint with the Chiefs saw him catching the Super Bowl-winning touchdown, a notable achievement despite his rocky tenure with the Jets.
After spending four years with the Chiefs, Hardman joined the Jets in March, only to be traded back to Kansas City in October after a lackluster performance, including catching just one pass in five games.
The tension between Hardman and his former Jets teammates escalated after the Super Bowl when he criticized the team’s culture following Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury. Additionally, accusations surfaced that Hardman leaked the team’s game plan for an October matchup against the Eagles to his former teammates at Georgia.
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Gardner further criticized Hardman’s work ethic since joining the Jets, suggesting that he failed to demonstrate the commitment required to succeed. On ‘The Pivot’ podcast, where Hardman initially aired his grievances against the Jets, Gardner remarked, “If you really know what it takes to win, you’re going make sure you let the team know. The reason he couldn’t do that is because he never earned his stripes. He came to the facility and thought he had it made for him.”
Gardner continued, highlighting instances of Hardman’s underperformance in practice and special teams meetings, suggesting that his lack of dedication undermined his credibility as a teammate.
Now a free agent once more after his brief return to the Jets, Hardman’s future in the NFL remains uncertain, with Gardner’s scathing remarks likely to impact his prospects moving forward.
