Key facts
- Mecole Hardman, 28, released by Bills during mandatory roster cutdowns to 53 players
- Hardman won three Super Bowls with Kansas City Chiefs; scored game-winning TD in Super Bowl LVIII
- Career stats: 2,302 receiving yards, 16 TDs; Pro Bowler as rookie returner (27 kickoffs, 704 yards, 1 TD)
- Preseason 2026: 2 carries for 31 yards, 4 catches for 20 yards and 1 TD
- Bills also cut veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky; seventh-round rookie Tommy Doman won competition
- Deadline to reach 53-man roster: 6 p.m. ET August 30, 2026
The roster move
The Buffalo Bills released wide receiver Mecole Hardman in late August 2026 as part of their mandatory reduction to a 53-player active roster. The move was reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Saturday, August 29. Hardman, 28, will become a free agent, though the Bills could sign him to their practice squad. The release came as the organization cleared a roster spot while deciding among other veteran options and younger depth chart candidates.
Who is Mecole Hardman
Hardman is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is best known for scoring the game-winning touchdown for Kansas City in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII. He signed with the Bills late in the previous season and caught a touchdown pass in their playoff loss to the Broncos. Over his NFL career, Hardman has compiled 2,302 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. As a rookie, he was a Pro Bowler for his work as a returner, bringing back 27 kickoffs for 704 yards, including one 104-yard touchdown return.
Preseason performance
Hardman was slated to be the No. 6 wide receiver on the Bills’ depth chart but did not generate enough production during the 2026 preseason to secure a roster spot. In limited offensive reps, he carried the ball twice for 31 yards and caught four passes for 20 yards and one touchdown. He did not make a significant impact on special teams. The team likely viewed him as expendable given the addition of DJ Moore as the new No. 1 wide receiver and the presence of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer higher on the depth chart.
Other roster moves
The Bills also cut veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky in a training camp competition. Seventh-round rookie Tommy Doman won the punter position battle and will make the 53-man roster. All NFL teams were required to reduce to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on August 30, 2026.
Sources
Featured photo: DaRealConMan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)