Bills release 3-time Super Bowl winning wide receiver

The Buffalo Bills are releasing veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. as the organization begins trimming its roster ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the move Saturday morning via X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Bills are releasing veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr, per source.”

The decision comes after Buffalo completed a perfect 3-0 preseason with a 28-27 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Hardman appeared in the finale as he competed for a spot in Buffalo’s crowded wide receiver room.

Hardman, 28, appeared in two regular-season games for the Bills in 2025 and received one target without recording a catch. He later caught a 4-yard touchdown in Buffalo’s AFC divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos.

The veteran is best known for his six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he became a three-time Super Bowl champion. Hardman also briefly played for the New York Jets in 2023 before returning to Kansas City in a midseason trade.

His departure comes as Buffalo makes its final roster decisions following the preseason. Hardman had been competing for a depth role and opportunities on special teams.

The Bills will now turn their attention toward Week 1, when they travel to face the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.