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Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur leads his team againt the New York Jets during their football game Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

“Did Not See That Coming” Packers Shockingly Release Super Bowl Champion (Report)

The Green Bay Packers, like every other team in the NFL, are making the toughest decisions of the year this week.  Trimming their roster from 90 to 53 is not easy.  However, one Super Bowl champion will be looking for a new home before the season starts in a few weeks.

“Did Not See That Coming” Packers Shockingly Release Super Bowl Champion (Report)

Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a call during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a call during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz:

Sources: #Packers releasing WR Mecole Hardman.

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Fans were quick to react to this news:

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) scores the winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) scores the winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Here is a look at Hardman’s career stats:

Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Season Age Team Lg Pos G GS Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD 1D Succ% Lng R/G Y/G Ctch% Y/Tgt Att Yds TD 1D Succ% Lng Y/A Y/G A/G Touch Y/Tch YScm RRTD Fmb AV Awards
2019 21 KAN NFL WR 16 5 41 26 538 20.7 6 18 58.5 83 1.6 33.6 63.4 13.1 4 17 0 1 75.0 9 4.3 1.1 0.3 30 18.5 555 6 2 7 PB,AP-2
2020 22 KAN NFL WR 16 8 62 41 560 13.7 4 23 54.8 49 2.6 35.0 66.1 9.0 4 31 0 2 50.0 20 7.8 1.9 0.3 45 13.1 591 4 2 6
2021 23 KAN NFL WR 17 8 83 59 693 11.7 2 33 60.2 53 3.5 40.8 71.1 8.3 8 46 0 2 25.0 24 5.8 2.7 0.5 67 11.0 739 2 3 7
2022 24 KAN NFL WR 8 5 34 25 297 11.9 4 14 61.8 36 3.1 37.1 73.5 8.7 4 31 2 3 75.0 25 7.8 3.9 0.5 29 11.3 328 6 1 3
2023 25 2TM NFL WR 11 2 24 15 124 8.3 0 8 50.0 37 1.4 11.3 62.5 5.2 1 3 0 0 0.0 3 3.0 0.3 0.1 16 7.9 127 0 1 1
2023 25 NYJ NFL WR 5 0 3 1 6 6.0 0 0 33.3 6 0.2 1.2 33.3 2.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 1 6.0 6 0 0 0
2023 25 KAN NFL WR 6 2 21 14 118 8.4 0 8 52.4 37 2.3 19.7 66.7 5.6 1 3 0 0 0.0 3 3.0 0.5 0.2 15 8.1 121 0 1 1
2024 26 KAN NFL WR 12 0 14 12 90 7.5 0 6 57.1 17 1.0 7.5 85.7 6.4 5 62 1 2 100.0 20 12.4 5.2 0.4 17 8.9 152 1 0 1
6 Yrs 80 28 258 178 2302 12.9 16 102 57.8 83 2.2 28.8 69.0 8.9 26 190 3 10 57.7 25 7.3 2.4 0.3 204 12.2 2492 19 9 25
17 Game Avg 17 6 55 38 489 12.9 3 22 57.8 83 2.2 28.8 69.0 8.9 6 40 1 2 57.7 25 7.3 2.4 0.3 43 12.2 530 4 2 5
KAN (6 Yrs) 75 28 255 177 2296 13.0 16 102 58.0 83 2.4 30.6 69.4 9.0 26 190 3 10 57.7 25 7.3 2.5 0.3 203 12.2 2486 19 9 25
NYJ (1 Yr) 5 0 3 1 6 6.0 0 0 33.3 6 0.2 1.2 33.3 2.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 1 6.0 6 0 0 0
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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About McQuade Arnold

McQuade Arnold is a Co-Owner of Wisconsin Sports Heroics (WSH), Gridiron Heroics (GH), and Hardwood Heroics (HWH). He graduated from American Military University with an associate in General Studies and is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Sports Marketing. McQuade has been active duty in the United States Navy for 11 years and is currently stationed in Chicago, IL after spending time in Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA. He is originally from Superior, WI and is a die hard Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks fan. McQuade's work for WSH has been featured on YardBarker, Bleacher Report, NewsBreak, and MSN.

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