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Packers Veteran May Need Dominant Preseason Finale Just to Make the Roster

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 12:37 PM ET

The Packers have built a young and ascending receiving corps around Jordan Love, but one of this offseason’s additions may see his time in Green Bay cut short before he even plays a regular season game.

Matthew Golden has a real chance of opening the season atop the depth chart, after being chosen in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, Savion Williams will have a role as a rookie, and the likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks should all see meaningful snaps as Christian Watson works his way back from a torn ACL.

Mecole Hardman on Packers’ Bubble?

Mecole Hardman’s disastrous debut threatens Packers roster dreams 4 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Mecole Hardman (6) against the New York Jets during their football game on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Meanwhile, it might take a dominant performance from veteran free agent signing Mecole Hardman in the preseason finale against the Seahawks just to make the team.

“Hardman signed with the Packers when they had real questions about where speed would come from at the receiver position following Watson’s injury,” Justis Mosqueda writes for SBNation. “Since then, Green Bay has added Matthew Golden (4.29-second 40-yard dash) and Savion Williams (4.48-second 40-yard dash) as top-100 picks in April’s draft. Based on how the offense has deployed Hardman with the first- and second-team units this summer, the offense’s plan for Hardman seems to be to use him as a reserve slot receiver, a role that Jayden Reed starts at and Golden, Dontayvion Wicks and Heath all receive snaps at.”

The Packers receiving corps has the chance to stretch the field with Golden and produce some big plays after the catch with Reed, Wicks, and tight end Tucker Kraft. It may be difficult for Hardman to have a role, or even a spot on the roster.

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

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