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Former Super Bowl champion flashes what he's capable of and reminds everyone why the Packers targeted him for one clear reason

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 5:11 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers are not known for their willingness to sign big-ticket free agent wide receivers. That being said, general manager Brian Gutekunst did go out on the market and signed former second-round pick and Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman before taking Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the draft.

While the number one reason to get Hardman is his returning ability, his speed can also be a weapon for the offense. And yes, Hardman's speed has primarily been used horizontally, but if he can also be a vertical threat, things start to get more interesting while Christian Watson is out with a knee injury.

On the second day of mandatory minicamp, the practice finished in the best way possible for quarterback Jordan Love, Hardman, and the offense.

During a two-minute drill, the starting offense had problems moving the ball. Until it was 4th and 19. Well, Love connected Hardman on a 73-yard bomb, scoring what would be a game-winning touchdown.

.@MecoleHardman4 had the offense turnt after this 70+ yard TD pic.twitter.com/xjQxxoShTl
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 11, 2025

Before that, the offensive backups had also won the twos battle. It was a little bit harder, though. Malik Willis found a 41-yard connection to Cornelius Johnson to set up a 38-yard field goal for backup kicker Alex Hale.

It's too early for any definitive conclusion, since not even the pads are on yet. So far, Mecole Hardman has to secure a spot on the 53-man roster first. However, his athletic ability is an intriguing proposition.

More practice notes

> On Tuesday, last year's first-round pick Jordan Morgan started practice with the ones at left tackle. If a rotation was planned, it didn't come to fruition on Wednesday because Rasheed Walker was with the rehab group this time around, so Morgan started again. Rookie second-rounder Anthony Belton practiced at left tackle with the twos.

> Aaron Banks and Elgton Jenkins didn't practice either. So the starting offensive line had two other second-year players, undrafted Donovan Jennings at left guard and fifth-rounder Jacob Monk at center. Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom were the right side of the line.

> The rehab group had Rasheed Walker, Nate Hobbs, Quay Walker, Christian Watson, Micah Robinson, Kalen King, Zayne Anderson, Collin Oliver, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, John Williams, and Julian Hicks.

> With Hobbs, Robinson, and King out, the cornerback depth suffered. The starting trio had Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine in the boundary, plus Javon Bullard in the slot. The immediate backups were Kamal Hadden and Bo Melton, who once again practiced as a defensive player.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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