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Going into what has been extensively thought of a make-or-break yr for his profession, Kansas City Chiefs extensive receiver Mecole Hardman was among players speaking to the media via Zoom on Tuesday.
When requested what he had been targeted on this offseason, Hardman replied, “Simply route operating. Simply making an attempt to do the entire tree — getting out and in of my breaks. Simply being conscious of coverages, going over movie slightly bit extra. So simply making an attempt to change into an general higher participant — and simply doing the little issues to assist out in the long term.”
After the Chiefs chosen Hardman within the second spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft, many followers and media have lamented that his function on offense by way of two seasons has been disappointing and one-dimensional.
The Chiefs allowed fellow extensive receiver Sammy Watkins to go away in free company for the Ravens this offseason. The staff didn’t signal a veteran substitute for Watkins — they usually selected to not tackle the place early within the 2021 NFL Draft.
Hardman thus enters camp with one of the best likelihood of his profession to return out of camp as a starter.
“No, no strain,” Hardman replied when he was requested about competing to be the staff’s No. 2 receiver. “Simply are available in and do my job and do what I have to do and simply get higher as the times go by. So mainly, simply day-to-day getting higher and hopefully that’s sufficient to place me the place I must be. However simply are available in and be a canine and do what I would like to take action that’s what I’m wanting ahead to doing.”
Hardman is aware of he’s not the one participant vying for extra alternative with Watkins out of the combination.
“It’s as much as us three — me, D-Rob (Demarcus Robinson) and (Byron) Pringle — to fill in that void one of the best ways we are able to,” he stated. “If that’s all of us splitting time or one getting extra enjoying (time) than the others, we simply doing know the way it’s going to go. That’s as much as Coach — and the way they resolve to do this. However all we all know that’s we’re going to go forward and work and provides our greatest and no matter function is given to us, we’re going to try this function one of the best that we are able to.”
After understanding with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Texas in the course of the 2020 offseason, Hardman stated they might not follow outdoors of staff actions this yr.
“We simply weren’t in the identical vicinities when he was coaching and all the pieces, however we acquired time in camp,” stated Hardman. “Loads of time in camp to get that chemistry down and the timing down, so it shouldn’t be a difficulty.”
Hardman acknowledges the significance of his third NFL season. With new faces within the extensive receiver room, he seems ahead to sharing what he has realized by way of two seasons with youthful gamers, because the veterans on the staff helped him.
Like many different Chiefs, he will likely be utilizing the frustration of Super Bowl LV as motivation for the upcoming season.
“I believe as a collective group, we’re all simply making an attempt to get again to get that style out of our mouth from dropping that sport.”
This third season for Hardman will doubtless decide the course of the remainder of his profession — whether or not he generally is a beginning NFL extensive receiver or if his profession will max out as a return specialist and situational gadget participant. Hardman drew reward for his enhancements within the offseason program from Mahomes and from security Tyrann Mathieu.
The Athletic’s Nate Taylor also noted his improved route running and consistency coming out of minicamp, expecting him to enter training camp as a starter. With the offseason buzz Hardman brings to camp, count on him to get each alternative to increase his function and produce — even reverse fellow pace extensive receiver Tyreek Hill.
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