Mecole Hardman. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jets players suggest Mecole Hardman leaked game plan to opponent

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 2/28/24

Mecole Hardman’s public criticism of the New York Jets has led to quite the backlash, with two of his former teammates suggesting he pulled a very inappropriate move.

Hardman, who began the season with the Jets, criticized the their culture in a recent interview, suggesting the team lacked standards and did not know how to win. One Jets player had a harsh response to those quotes, dismissing Hardman as a “disgruntled former employee.”

Two other Jets players went even further, however. In a since-deleted post, cornerback Sauce Gardner cryptically suggested that the team’s offensive game plan for their Week 6 game against the Philadelphia Eagles was leaked to the opponent.

Deleted tweet from Sauce Gardner pic.twitter.com/wssNy1Jf5h

— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) February 28, 2024

Another Jets player was even more direct. When asked by a fan for his reaction to Hardman’s comments, tight end Kenny Yeboah said Hardman was “tripping out” and suggested the wide receiver should be asked “how the Georgia Eagles got our game plan.” He since deleted the tweet.

In other words, two Jets are strongly implying that Hardman leaked their offensive game plan to an opponent. The heart of the claim seems to be that Hardman, a former Georgia player, gave away the plan to the Eagles, a team that has been noted for loading up on Bulldogs players in recent drafts. Notably, Hardman had been inactive the week before the Eagles game despite signing a multimillion-dollar contract in the offseason, and his name had already started to show up in trade rumors at that point.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported the Jets also believed Hardman leaked the game plan to the Chiefs.

Yes, I’m told there was validated belief from the #Jets that WR Mecole Hardman, frustrated by his lack-of usage, leaked game plans to the opposition, as implied by several players (Sauce Gardner, Kenny Yeboah) today.

Not just the #Eagles game, but also the #Chiefs.… pic.twitter.com/d6LlvPnDaJ
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) February 29, 2024

Even if any of this is true, it did not completely work, as the Jets beat Philadelphia 20-14 in a major upset. And the Jets almost upset the Chiefs, 20-23.

Hardman would end up being traded back to Kansas City and ultimately caught the Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime. Clearly, several of his Jets teammates were not exactly rooting for his success.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: