Two-time All-Pro defensive back Sauce Gardner said he was “caught off guard” by former teammate Mecole Hardman’s recent comments. Hardman, who started the 2023 season on the New York Jets roster, recently sparked a war of words by publicly criticizing New York’s coaching staff and the organization as a whole.
Hardman suggested the Jets’ culture was steeped in dysfunction in the weeks after quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury.
“But the offense is like, ‘We’ll make it work. This is Aaron’s show. Let Aaron do what Aaron does.'” And then when Aaron goes down, you don’t know what to do. Gardner said during an appearance on The Pivot podcast last month.
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August 12, 2022. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field) (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Hardman added that he was “checked out” during his brief tenure with Gang Green, adding, “It’s over. I’ve already talked to (Chiefs general manager Brett Veach) and Pat (Mahomes) about getting him. “Come,” he said. “”
Gardner appeared on “The Pivot” himself this week and claimed that Hardman “never earned the honor” while he was a member of the Jets. Gardner also called Hardman “ungrateful.”
Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman vehemently denies leaking Jets’ game plan
Mecole Hardman Jr. #6 of the New York Jets warms up before a football game at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
“If you really know what it takes to win, you make sure you let your team know. … The reason he couldn’t do it was because he couldn’t earn the honor. It’s here,” Gardner said. He thought he had made that facility for him.
“If you know what it takes to win, you’re not going to go to practice and drop a bad punt and then make excuses as to why you dropped it. You’re not going to go to a special teams meeting and say you missed a punt.” “I got yelled at by the special teams coordinator. If you really know what it takes to win, sometimes things don’t happen.”
Some other Jets players took issue with Hardman’s comments on the podcast and fired back at the wide receiver on social media.
Hardman spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed with the Jets in 2023. His impact in five games with the Jets was minimal. He finished his stint in New York with just one reception for 3 yards. The Jets traded him back to the Chiefs in October.
Kansas City celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl III at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 11, 2024. – Chiefs jersey number 12 Mecole Hardman Jr. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Gardner wasn’t happy with Hardman’s decision to criticize the Jets organization, but admitted he was happy with Hardman’s success after returning to Kansas City.
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“You can’t really discredit the Jets, especially him personally,” he said. “They sent you back to a dominant team. They sent you back to the Chiefs, and you won the Super Bowl. I think it’s ungrateful. I don’t think he should have gone there and talked about the Jets.” You could have taken the high road. You just won the Super Bowl and made the game-winning catch.”
Hardman is scheduled to officially hit the free agent market on Wednesday. Hardman has ruled out a reunion with the Jets, but his future in Kansas City remains uncertain.
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