Hardman possibly admitted that Veach tampered

[Sassy Squatch]

Former Jets WR/Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman, appearing on @Realrclark25's Pivot podcast, shed some light on what led to his trade from the Jets. For instance:

* Hardman said he refused to return punts vs KC because he felt STC Brant Boyer had misled him about the…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 27, 2024

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Sassy Squatch

* Hardman candidly admitted that, by that point, "I was so checked out, like, it was over with. I had already talked to (KC GM Brett) Veach and Pat (Mahomes), like, ‘Come get me.’" Two weeks later, he was traded back to KC.

Can these clowns learn to shut their ****ing mouths?

Hopefully Veach has his tracker phone for times like this so he can dispose the evidence

[Rainbarrel]

McDermott was in the competition committee meetings wanting rule changes so much. They just put him on the committee. Heads will roll like medieval England!

[duncan_idaho]

It's not tampering to talk to a player or front office member on the field after a game and say "come get me." Which is what I believe probably happened (KC played Jets week 4, Hardman was traded week 7).

And even if it's not, easy to say it was and let it go at that.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Doesn't matter what Hardman did, with regards to tampering.

Only way it's tampering is if Veach responded and actively engaged in discussions insinuating they might try and acquire him. If there is no proof of that, then this thing has no legs.

The only thing this may have done was let Veach know he might possibly be available before trade deadline, but again, that's not on Veach. That was Hardman.

Hardman can text Mahomes. They're friends and played together for years. It's not tampering to text a player on another team. Unless Mahomes said, I talked to Veach and we coming to save you (which obviously he didn't), there's nothing to this.

Just a frustrated player wanting out. Nothing more.

If the NFL wants to punish someone over this (which they might due to their stupid witchhunts with no evidence - see Hill, Elliott, etc.) then they should punish Hardman.

But honestly there's nothing to this. Just the typical reerun fan reaction from other teams fans 'they cheated! Take their 1st round pick'.

[bobhill]

It was a mind season trade, does it really matter?

[Red Dawg]

Hardman can't trade himself. He wasn't an FA so how is this tampering if the Jets let them talk.

[staylor26]

This is silly. Veach and the Chiefs can't control what Hardman said to them after a game.

[Dante84]

Never had talks with KC before the trade, so we can CLEAR THAT UP! The Jets handled my trade on their own and did the right thing by sending me back to KC! https://t.co/W5A1uYXsM1

— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) February 28, 2024

[Sassy Squatch]

yeah, there's your confirmation that the team knows what Hardman implied and they're not too pleased with him about it. Unless you think Hardman tweeted that PR statement of his own accord.

[Dante84]

Is it tampering if it goes through an intermediary, since they’re allowed to talk to players on other teams?

Hardman<>Mahomes <>Veach

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I have to believe that Veach is smarter than that, despite the verbage that Hardman uses.

Players, especially former teammates can do whatever they want. They can text Mahomes "get me home". No tampering.

Former players can text or call Veach begging to come back. As long as he doesn't respond, he's fine. I'm sure he didn't respond. He's not a stupid man.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Is it tampering if it goes through an intermediary, since they’re allowed to talk to players on other teams?

Hardman<>Mahomes <>Veach

Who even cares. If Veach ISN'T tampering I'd think a bit less of him as a GM. ALL teams do it. The problem is this dime brained buffoon running his mouth and saying the quiet part out loud, opening the door for us to potentially lose an important draft pick.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Sassy Squatch

He talked to Veach. That's how he phrases it. Hopefully a nothing urger but it may very well lead to an investigation.

I talk to my dogs.

They don't talk back.

Veach isn't dumb and Andy's already had his hand slapped by the league. I very much doubt there's a paper trail and it wouldn't honestly surprise me if Veach just didn't respond at all.

I ain't worried. It's not like everyone and their brother didn't see a Hardman return as likely (or at least possible) several weeks before it happened.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I think that's says a lot about Saleh's leadership, which you already got the impression was lacking. Not that I'm dismissing Hackett's incompetence, he's clearly no more than Rodgers' sidekick.

I think it says more about Hackett.

I mean it's not like Reid was setting the tone when Bob Sutton was running the defense. Now he's not doing it with Spags. When you have a HC who's a specialist on one side of the ball, he's going to do exactly what Sutton, Payton, Saleh, Belichick and other 'specialist' coaches have done - turn the keys to the unit over to the other guy.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I talk to my dogs.

They don't talk back.

Veach isn't dumb and Andy's already had his hand slapped by the league. I very much doubt there's a paper trail and it wouldn't honestly surprise me if Veach just didn't respond at all.

I ain't worried. It's not like everyone and their brother didn't see a Hardman return as likely (or at least possible) several weeks before it happened.

It's crazy that Andy lost draft picks for the Maclin thing. Every team in the league does the same shit every year. I guess being able to prove it was the difference.