Logo

Beloved Former Chief Released by Packers — Issues Emotional Plea to Return to Kansas City

Kansas City, Mo. — August 28, 2025 — Former Kansas City fan favorite Mecole Hardman was released earlier this week, reigniting speculation about a reunion with the Chiefs after he signaled he’d welcome a return to Arrowhead. Hardman was among the Green Bay Packers’ final cutdown moves on Aug. 26 as teams trimmed to 53, according to club and national reports.

The 27-year-old speedster spent four seasons in Kansas City across two stints, delivered multiple postseason moments, and famously caught the Super Bowl LVIII walk-off touchdown. His return value is twofold: a familiar plug-and-play fit in Andy Reid’s motion-heavy offense and an immediate boost on special teams as a proven returner. While several outlets note he could circle back to Green Bay via the practice squad, his release has nonetheless reopened the door—at least in theory—to a Kansas City reunion if the roster math allows.

From a football standpoint, Hardman profiles as a vertical-and-horizontal stress piece who can clear space for Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, handle jet/orbit motion, and flip field position in the return game. Any agreement—should Kansas City explore it—would likely be team-friendly with incentives, preserving flexibility as the Chiefs manage the 53 and early-season elevations.

In a message directed at the Kansas City community, Hardman strikes an emotional tone:

“It was never just the plays—it was the people. The coaches, the locker room, and the fans in red and gold who made Kansas City feel like home. Everywhere else I went, I kept chasing that Arrowhead feeling and never quite found it. If Kansas City calls, I won’t blink. I want to put the ‘KC’ back on my chest and come home to the Chiefs.”

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side