Packers News: 3-Time Super Bowl Winner Mecole Hardman Insists He's Not Just A Return Man - 'I Can Make Things Happen' 2 Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) warms up against the Los Angeles Chargers prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Packers’ Mecole Hardman’s Job May Depend on Winning This Key Position Battle

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 3:18 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers finally made a major commitment at wide receiver this offseason.

Busting a streak of over two decades of not drafting a wide receiver in the first round, selecting Matthew Golden out of Texas, and then rounding back to add Savion Williams in Round 3, Jordan Love’s supporting cast is going to look a lot different in September than it did in January.

Given that Christian Watson might not be available at all in 2025 after tearing his ACL in the 2024 regular season finale, there could be an opening for Mecole Hardman to become a key contributor and rotational receiver. It’s a crowded room, though, and Hardman may face an uphill climb just to make the roster.

Could Mecole Hardman Become the Packers’ Kick Returner?

With Golden, Williams, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Christian Watson each all but assured roster spots and potentially key roles in the Packers’ offense, it might be difficult for Hardman to make the club this summer.

However, there is one route where Hardman can solidify his job and become a key contributor. Winning the battle to be the Packers’ top kick returner.

“Nixon and Reed will occupy important roles on their respective sides of the football,” Zach Kruse writes for USATODAY’s PackersWire. “And Hardman has vast experience and more than enough playmaking potential as a returner. The Packers have a lot to work through at receiver, and there’s no guarantee a roster spot is waiting for Hardman, so this battle has just as much to do with the depth chart at receiver as the competition between Hardman, Nixon and Reed. This isn’t a huge role — the Packers returned only 19 punts and 20 kickoffs total last season — but keeping Nixon and Reed out of harm’s way is just as important as any impact provided in the return game.”

Packers Veteran WR Turning Heads Trying to Hold Off Rookie Matthew Golden 1 Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) is introduced against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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