Jets GM Douglas weighs in on Hardman’s comments
INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since the conclusion of the 2023 season, Jets general manager Joe Douglas spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Douglas addressed several topics, including the release of left guard Laken Tomlinson, Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and how the Jets will address their offensive line situation.
On Monday night, the Jets released left guard Laken Tomlinson after two seasons. Considering the Jets already need two starters on the offensive line entering the offseason, some people were surprised Tomlinson, who has started all 34 games the last two seasons, was released. The Jets saved $8.1 million by releasing Tomlinson.
“Had a good conversion with Laken on Monday,” Douglas said. “We just felt like it was the right move for us moving forward.”
Hardman’s comments:
During an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, former Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman spoke about his brief time with the team. “There’s no standard there,” Hardman said.
“You just got a new [offensive] coaching staff that came in and there’s no standard there. Everybody does what they want to do.”
The Jets signed Hardman to a one-year contract worth up to $6.5 million. But just months after the deal, Hardman became frustrated with his role after Xavier Gipson passed him on the team’s depth chart during training camp.
Hardman played only 28 snaps offensively and two on special teams during his six games with the Jets. That led to him saying he “was so checked out” and he was traded back to the Chiefs on Oct. 18, where he spent the first four seasons of his career.
“Not to get into any specifics on what Mecole said,” Douglas said. “We were excited to sign Mecole. But Xavier Gipson really came on for us this year. He did an outstanding job for us.”
Saquon Barkley is a future Hall of Famer who “deserves to be paid,” Giants captain Xavier Mckinney said Wednesday.
“He deserves every penny and he’s worth a lot, because he is truly a guy that can turn around a whole organization, a whole team, [with] his play and his leadership,” Mckinney, 24, said on Wednesday’s Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast.
Barkley and Mckinney are both important, pending free agents that Giants GM Joe Schoen said the team would like to have back. And they have each other’s back entering the process.