Bills Release Super Bowl Champion Right Before the Start of the Season
The Bills are letting go of a three-time Super Bowl champion ahead of Week 1. A crowded receiver room made him expendable.
The Buffalo Bills have decided to release veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. just days before the start of the NFL season. This move comes less than 48 hours after the Bills' preseason finale, a close 28-27 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hardman had a limited role in that game, catching only one pass for two yards. However, he started on special teams, returning kickoffs and punts for 71 yards.
The decision to release Hardman appears to be more about the strength of the team's receiving corps than a reflection on Hardman's abilities. The Bills signed Dante Pettis, a top special teams return specialist, and DJ Moore, who is set to be Josh Allen's primary receiver. Additionally, other receivers like Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and Keon Coleman are all in good form, making Hardman's position redundant.
The situation was further complicated by the emergence of Skyler Bell, a fourth-round rookie who had a standout preseason performance, catching seven passes for 49 yards, including a crucial 16-yard catch from the quarterback. With a crowded receiver room, Hardman found himself replaced.
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