Chiefs bringing back Super Bowl hero in possible expanded role

The wideout earned his lone Pro Bowl honor as a rookie in 2019, finishing third in the NFL that year in kick returns (27), kick return yards (704) and kick and punt return yards (871). Hardman ended the season with what is still a career-high 1,426 all-purpose yards.

The former second-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chiefs. Hardman signed with the New York Jets last March but registered just one reception for six yards on three targets across five games with the team.

He was traded back to Kansas City in October and after limited production in six regular-season contests with the Chiefs, he struggled in the squad's first three playoff games. 

Then in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, despite playing only 19 snaps, Hardman finished with three catches for 57 yards and the game-winning touchdown reception in overtime.

Though tight end Travis Kelce will be back and likely act as one of, if not quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target, the status of second-year pro Rashee Rice is in doubt.

The team's second-leading pass-catcher from 2023 had a rough offseason, being jailed briefly in mid-April following a high-speed hit-and-run crash on March 30 in Dallas.

Rice was then under investigation in early May after he allegedly punched a photographer at a downtown Dallas club. The wideout wasn't arrested or charged with a crime and it was announced on May 21 that the victim declined to press charges.

It's been reported that Rice is likely facing a multi-game suspension for his involvement in the car crash.

Hardman is rejoining a receivers room that has added first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy and free-agent acquisition Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.