Buffalo Bills Could Cut 3-Time Super Bowl Champion

Three-time Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman Jr. faces an uncertain path toward securing a spot on the Buffalo Bills’ final 53-man roster as the team opens its preseason schedule.

The Bills host the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, giving players fighting for limited roster positions a chance to make an impression. At wide receiver, the depth chart already appears crowded.

Buffalo is expected to retain DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, and Skyler Bell, which could leave as few as one remaining opening in the group. Hardman, signed by the Bills last November, finds himself competing for that potential spot.

Bills on SI’s John Green recently suggested the veteran could be in “danger” of missing the cut.

“However, so far through two-and-a-half weeks, Hardman Jr. has been fairly solid to start training camp,” Green wrote. “And, he’s even got some run as the first-team punt returner for Buffalo. So, keeping that in mind, if he can manage to make a few plays in the preseason—both in the return game and as a receiver—then his chances of sneaking onto the final 53-man roster will increase dramatically.

“However, if he falters, then the same can be said about his chances of being off the roster, too. Undoubtedly, the next few weeks are critical for the former Kansas City Chiefs wideout, who caught the game-sealing touchdown from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII just a couple of years ago.”

Hardman’s résumé includes seven NFL seasons, six of them with the Chiefs, where he contributed to three Super Bowl titles. He has appeared in 82 career games, totaling 178 receptions for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns. His time in Buffalo last season was limited to two games and a single catch.

Roster projections remain fluid until the final cuts on Aug. 30. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia recently adjusted his forecast to include Hardman.

“We’re at our first change from the pre-camp 53-man roster projection,” Buscaglia explained. “Last time, I had Hardman on the outside looking in, thinking the Bills could try the rookie Bell as their punt returner. During open practices, Bell was rarely involved in punt return reps.

“On top of that, everyone else besides Hardman was either a roster long shot or struggled in those punt-return reps. Now, Bell is injured. Even though Hardman may only be a onesie position as a punt returner, they might have to keep him and try to work him into a handful of offensive snaps to make it worthwhile.”

As a team focused on immediate contention, Buffalo may value Hardman’s championship experience when finalizing the roster.

His performance in the coming preseason games, particularly as a returner and occasional receiver, will likely determine whether that experience proves enough to keep him in uniform.