Mecole Hardman Jr. Reportedly Cut by Bills, Top Potential Landing Spots in NFL Free Agency

The Buffalo Bills plan to release veteran wide receiver and return man Mecole Hardman Jr., according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Hardman, 28, entered the NFL in 2019 and has played seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Bills.

A third stint with the Chiefs could potentially be an option for Hardman following his release, or he could land with a team that struggled on punt returns last season, such as the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders or Los Angeles Chargers.

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, Hardman was named a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro as a rookie thanks to his 26.1-yard kick return average and one kick return touchdown.

Hardman also topped the 500-yard receiving mark in each of his first three NFL seasons, but he is best known for catching the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers.

In 82 career regular-season games, Hardman has caught 178 passes for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has also rushed for three touchdowns and scored one touchdown each on kick and punt returns.

Following a stint on their practice squad, Hardman was elevated to appear in two regular-season games for the Bills last season. He did not catch a pass, but he had a 61-yard kick return and returned two punts for a total of four yards.

In two playoff games, Hardman had one catch for four yards and a touchdown, and he had a 22-yard kick return.

Hardman remained with the Bills entering this year's training camp in hopes of winning a roster spot as a punt returner and depth wide receiver.

The Bills already have a First Team All-Pro kick returner in running back Ray Davis, but he has yet to show a propensity for punt returns.

In fact, Davis muffed a punt and the Pittsburgh Steelers recovered it during the Bills' preseason finale on Thursday, leading to speculation that Hardman could potentially make the team.

However, the Bills are reportedly moving on from Hardman anyway, and they will have to find a different answer for the punt return spot.