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When the Packers inked Mecole Hardman to a deal, plenty of NFL talking heads raised their eyebrows. But dig into the contract details and you’ll find Brian Gutekunst has pulled off another low-risk move that gives Green Bay flexibility going forward.
The first wave of free agency almost always benefits players more than teams. That’s why most initial reports highlighted that Hardman could earn up to $1.5 million on his one-year contract with the Pack.
Here’s the kicker though — only $150,000 of that money is actually guaranteed as a signing bonus. The Packers can walk away from Hardman during training camp with minimal financial penalty if he doesn’t show enough to crack the 53-man roster.
That’s smart business.
Hardman’s Path to Making the Team
The former Chief’s clearest route to sticking in Green Bay depends largely on how he performs as a potential replacement for Christian Watson. With the Packers’ top receiver sidelined for a significant portion of the upcoming season, Hardman could find himself picking up those outside receiver snaps if he impresses in camp.
The draft will play a huge role in Hardman’s future, too. If Gutekunst uses an early pick on an outside receiver, Hardman’s chances of making the roster drop considerably. But if Green Bay focuses on other positions of need, the speedster’s odds improve dramatically.
For Packers fans who’ve been begging for significant offensive weapons to pair with Jordan Love, this signing probably feels underwhelming. It’s essentially a tryout with almost no financial commitment — the NFL equivalent of buying a lottery ticket.
The concerning part? Green Bay still hasn’t addressed their receiver issues in any meaningful way. While Hardman brings two Super Bowl rings and experience to the room, he’s never developed into the consistent threat many projected when Kansas City drafted him in the second round.
Bottom line: The Packers aren’t tied to Hardman if he doesn’t perform, but they’re also still searching for legitimate answers at wide receiver. It’s a no-risk move that might not move the needle for a fanbase hungry for another deep playoff run.
