Q&A with WR Mecole Hardman Jr.: ‘It’s about winning. No matter who gets it done.’

The Buffalo Fambase blog recently had a chance to sit down and catch up with current Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. as he gets ready to ramp up his training regimen in preparation for the beginning of offseason workouts on April 6th at One Bills Drive, and the former second-round pick touched on several topics during the phone interview, most of which can be found here.

However, the former second-round pick also discussed several other things that weren’t ultimately covered in the previous story.

For that reason, the rest of the interview can be found below for your viewing pleasure. 

The Elberton, Georgia, native talked about what it was like learning under fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill during their time together in Kansas City, how important it is for young receivers like Keon Coleman to have veteran guidance early on in their career, as well as other topics ranging from Sean McDermott’s firing to his thoughts on playing in front of a FAMBASE like the Bills Mafia.

So, without further ado, here is our blog’s interview with wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. from a few weeks ago.

Buffalo Fambase interview with WR Mecole Hardman Jr. (February 19, 2026)

BF (Buffalo Fambase): Mecole, thanks for taking the time to do this interview with the Buffalo Fambase blog. I greatly appreciate it.

MH (Mecole Hardman Jr.): Oh, no problem, man. No problem at all. 

BF: So, how has your offseason been since that last game against Denver? Have you started training again or are you still taking it easy?

MH: The offseason has been good. I got a chance to come back home to, you know, (be) with my family. This is my first offseason spending (it) back in Georgia, I think, since my rookie year. So, the offseason’s been going good, and I’ve just been resting — took a few weeks off. I start back up next week (week of Feb. 23) just, you know, training — lifting weights, running — just to get my body back acclimated and those things. It’s probably one of the longest offseasons I’ve had as a pro. So, just being able to enjoy the time with my family — my kids, my lady — and then next week it’s time to get back on that grind.

BF: Awesome. So, where in Georgia do you spend your offseason?

MH: So, I moved my parents to Winder, Georgia, but I’ll be doing all my training at the University of Georgia and in Atlanta.

BF: You mentioned how this has been one of the longest offseasons that you have had. Is that simply because you are so used to being in the Super Bowl during your years with the Kansas City Chiefs?

MH: Yeah. So, like, I’ve been to consecutive AFC championships my whole career (prior), and then five Super Bowls. So, yeah — it’s just been (like) we get done mid-February and after a week it’s time to, you know, kind of get back on the grind or maybe a couple weeks. So, being able to take that extra couple weeks off and just let your body rest naturally and heal naturally, it’s just the best thing you can do for your body is get that natural healing, and then from there starting to get back acclimated. So, it’s been good so far.

BF: Did you watch the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks? If so, what were your thoughts on how the game went, and do you feel like the Bills should’ve ultimately been in the game had things played out differently against Denver in the divisional round?

MH: Yeah, I watched the game. I thought it was a pretty good game, (a) defensive game. You know, (the) Seahawks had a real good defense. But, yeah —  just looking back at it we definitely, I think — me personally, my opinion — we should’ve definitely been in (the Super Bowl), but things just didn’t work out. But, you know, it’s all live and learn, and figure out what you’ve got to do the following season to kind of get over that hump, so definitely thought we should’ve been in there, man. (We) definitely had a good chance to win it. But, it’s a lot of ‘what ifs.’ So, we’ve just got to get there next time and get the job done.”

BF: What have you learned from Tyreek Hill? The “Cheetah.”

MH: Coming into that situation, we were kind of like a similar skill-set type of guy. He’s a little shorter than me, you know Tyreek’s a little short. But, just coming into a situation where he was the guy and, you know, me being like a similar type of player to him with the speed and the ability after the (catch) and things like that, you know, just being able to learn from him and watch how he worked, how he practiced, and how he approached the game. He was (one of) the hardest working people (and) players that I’ve been around in how hard he worked and how serious he takes the game. So, just being able to be around him, be his teammate, and learn from him — it did a lot for me in my career — knowing how to approach the game and approach certain situations, practices, and even working with him in the offseason and seeing how hard he works . . . I attribute a lot of my thinking and my thought process, when it comes to certain things, to him because he definitely taught me a lot, and I learned a lot from him just by watching him.

BF: How important is that for a young player coming into the league to have some sort of veteran leadership like you did with Tyreek? How could’ve that helped a player like Keon Coleman when he was first coming into the league just two years ago?

MH: I think it’s really important, man. Especially, like, if you’re a guy that comes in with — you know, not that I came in with the highest expectations, but just when you’re a guy that comes in with high expectations — and you can be that guy, and you can get those opportunities to establish yourself as a premier receiver in the league, I think, you know, it’s hard to have direction on your own. And, a coach only can do so much and tell you so much because they’re not in that situation, you know? So, just having that type of leadership and being able to set the standard and teach you the nuances of the game — you know, inside (and) out, on and off the field, and how to approach things — and they’re telling you this, and you can watch them actually do the same thing they’re telling you. It kind of, like, helps you out and helps you develop your mindset of, like, how you’re supposed to approach things. So, you know, I had Travis (Kelce), as well. Travis really was the one that took me under his wing and taught me the game, and like, just you know, put me on everything — with the routes and just how to approach certain things and how to do this, how to do that, and it’s like, “Dang. Okay, cool. I never would have thought of it like that.” But, you know, guys that have been in the league, you know — five, six, seven-plus years — they have seen everything. They’ve seen a lot. They know how the coaches work. They know how the system works. They know how defenses work. So, once you get that in your back pocket, then all you’ve got to do is just apply that to what you already know, and your skill-set makes you that much better, especially if you get opportunities to prove yourself. So, I think it’s a very, you know, vital thing to have as a young guy coming to the league, especially as a rookie, you know? So, that definitely would help you out in your career and, you know, so forth and so on.

BF: Did the firing of Coach McDermott surprise you?

MH: A little bit. You know, like I said, it’s my first year. So, I really wasn’t accustomed to knowing what’s going on or, you know, just everything that was surrounding the coaching staff and what could happen. So, it kind of took me by surprise a little bit. I didn’t expect it. But, I’m glad, you know? I’m happy for Joe. I think that he’s definitely going to be a great addition in that head coach role. Somebody that’s been there, (and) he knows how everything works. He’s already, like, kind of (having) the same system. So, it kind of works for me because I don’t really have to learn a whole new system and try to start from ground zero. I can still have like a competitive advantage of knowing the plays a little bit and being able to be more comfortable, you know? As the OTAs and the training camp roll around, I can get to full speed and play without thinking. So, (it was) a little bit of a surprise, but, you know, I’m happy. Like I said, I’m happy for Joe. I’m glad he got the job. I think he’s going to do a great job. I can’t wait to get back and see the plan and vision that he has.

BF: I know you’ve only spent a little bit of time with both coaches, but what would you say the main differences are between Sean McDermott and Joe Brady in terms of their personality from a player’s perspective?

MH: Yeah, I think Coach McDermott . . . he’s more like — he’s a player’s coach, as well. (He’s) very understanding, very compromising when it comes to certain situations, you know? But, he’s a coach that’s been in the game a long time. So, you know, he’s got a little bit more wisdom with things, and he’s been in big games. So, just being around him that (last) year and — even going against him — he’s well-respected, and he’s a great coach, you know? He definitely knows what he’s doing in that position. So, it was definitely fun to actually, you know, to learn from under him and to be able to play for him because he’s one of those types of guys that you’ve got a ton of respect for. And, Coach Brady — he’s more of the outgoing (type), you know? He’s got a fire lit under him, you know? He’s young. So, for him, it’s more of the energy. He wants to bring the energy. He wants to bring the mindset and try to establish a standard offensively. Now, he has to do that defensively (too) because, you know, he’s the head coach. So, just being with him and for him being the OC and (me) playing under him — I’ve got a ton of respect for him. I love playing for him. I think he’s got a great plan. I like the offense. So, now it’s just more so seeing where we can go from here. Like, how can we advance (the offense)? How can we take it to another level? So, I think that’s going to be the main thing. I’m excited.

BF: Jeff Rodgers is your new special teams coach and Drew Terrell is your new wide receivers coach, both of whom are coming to Buffalo after previously being with the Arizona Cardinals. Are you familiar with either of them from any point earlier in your career? Have they reached out to you?

MH: Yeah, so no — I haven’t spoken to Coach Rodgers yet. I’m pretty sure we will in the upcoming (future). I’ll reach out to him (or) he’ll reach out to me. But, yeah, he was in Arizona, I believe. I think I heard a couple things (about) him. Arizona was always kind of, you know, good on special teams. So, I think he’s a good addition, you know? I think that he’s a guy that’s in a situation that he’s going to have some talent back there with me and Ray Davis. So, he’s definitely coming into a good situation, a good special teams unit. And, I think he can, you know, elevate that and have a plan for us. I’m really not familiar with the receivers coach. (I’ve) got to do a little more research on him and see exactly what he’s about and everything. But, you know, he’s coming to a good receiver room, as well. He’s got some dogs in there. And, I don’t know who the addition is going to be (in free agency or by trade) — if there is any addition this year — so, it’s going to be nice. It’s going to be dope. I’m excited for every new coach. Jay Valai, my guy, me and him got a history together — (the) cornerback coach. So, it’s going to be good to see him in the building. It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait, man, to see our new faces and the new energy that everybody brings and the standard that’s going to be set, you know, from day one. So, it’s going to be fun.

BF: You mentioned how you’ll be starting back up soon with your offseason training prior to coming back to Orchard Park in Buffalo for the beginning of spring workouts on April 6th. Is there anything specific you’ll be focusing on this offseason? Also, where and who will you be training with?

MH: So, I’ll be training with my receiver coaches — T.J. (Brown) and Steph (Brown) — they run a group called Top Shelf based out of Atlanta. I’ve been training with them for the last two, three years. But, (I’m) focusing this year . . . I just want to, you know, I think this is the year that I’m focusing on just more so myself and things that can improve my game, which you do every year, which is like routes, releases, top of the route — just the little nuances and how to get better. But, I think more so this year I really want to just improve my route tree — which I can run, you know, mostly every route — but, I just want to be detailed on certain routes and, again, to be able to run 80 percent and, you know, making it believable that I’m at 100 (percent) so I can get in and out of my break faster than a DB. (Also practicing) some new releases and, you know, simple releases to just speed releases. (I’m) just trying to master certain things and get better all around overall, so when it comes to getting on that field, man, there’s no weaknesses (and) there’s no dips in my game because I really want to lock in this year and focus all on the receiver (position), especially, you know, (because) the returning game will be there. It’s not going nowhere. I’m always going to be dynamic and a threat back there anytime I get back there. But, I just really, you know, being older — I’m still young — but (I’m) just trying to elevate my game and get more opportunities on that side of the field where I can improve my work(load), you know, more than normal. So, hopefully I get the opportunity to do that and take advantage of the opportunity. This year is all about sacrifice and just buying all in and trying to be the best player I can be on the offensive side of the ball. 

BF: Are you confident in your ability to make the 53-man roster out of training camp this summer and ultimately become a contributor?

MH: Oh, for sure. I mean, anytime I’ve ever had opportunities or chances to be on the offense or (special teams), whether it’s Kansas City or wherever I was, I’m going to make plays. I think I’m one of the biggest threats with the ball in my hands in the league, you know, no matter what people want to say. But, when I get the ball in my hands it’s a problem (for defenders). I can take it from anywhere on the field to a touchdown. So, that’s how I feel. That’s my mindset. I feel like that’s how every receiver’s mindset should be, you know? But, I think I’m a threat, regardless, with the ball in my hand — whether it’s a screen, whether it’s down the field, (or) whether it’s across the middle. So, definitely getting opportunities is the main thing. If I can get opportunities to prove that and show that — the speed’s still there. The ability is still there. It hasn’t went nowhere. I feel really good, really back to 100 percent. This is the best I’ve felt in probably the last couple years as far as going into an offseason. So, I’m excited about that, man, and excited to improve on that. And, you know like I said, just show my worth and show that I’m still a guy that has to be dealt with when the ball is in his hands.

BF: The narrative surrounding the wide receivers on the team last year was that your group was the issue on offense, and that the players in that room didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. How does that make you feel as a receiver? On top of that, how much are you looking forward to — individually and collectively as a group —  making amends for last season?

MH: I think it’s very exciting because, you know, a lot of people from the outside looking in, man, they really don’t know what’s going on within the building or whatever because, at the end of the day, we’re at a professional level and everybody gets paid to do a job. Obviously, you know, (there’s) guys in the league that excel at this position and, you know, are number ones and stuff like that. But, every team is different. Every offense is different. You can name the best receivers in the league, and (they’ll) never be, you know, in the Super Bowl or (they’ll) never be offensive player of the year and stuff like that. And, it’s like — oh, but (what) if we get a number one (this offseason)? And, who am I to decide? But, is that necessarily always the best thing? Because, at the end of the day, it’s a team that’s going to win a game, not necessarily just one individual player. You know what I’m saying? So, it’s a team sport. You know, in all my years in Kansas City, we had Tyreek and we had Trav (Travis Kelce). But when, you know, Tyreek left, we ended up still going (on) to win. We went to two Super Bowls, and we didn’t have an established number one receiver. We just had a great team. You know what I mean? Like, everybody contributed how they contributed, and everybody had their role. So, I think it’s just more so this year is just about having a room that, you know, plays well off each other. You know what I mean? That, you know, everybody’s got a role. This is your role, that’s your role. And, if there is a receiver that comes out to be an established number one (that’s great). But, (still) just knowing that you might be the number one, but also you still got a role, too. You know, everybody’s got to play (their role) to the best way they can. And, at the end of the day, it’s all about winning. It’s not about (anything else) — it’s about the team winning. No matter what the statistical stats say, (it’s about) that we’re winning, and that’s how it’s supposed to be. So, hopefully that’s kind of what the standard and the culture, you know, comes to. It’s about the team, you know? No matter who makes the play, as long as the play gets made. And, I think that’s a great mindset to have for any team. You know what I mean? Because that takes you a long way, you know, in taking them deep runs in the playoffs. When you’ve got an established, standard culture — it’s about winning — it’s not about nothing else. It’s about winning. No matter who gets it done, as long as it gets done, and at the end of the day that scoreboard reads that we won the game. So, and again, like, I’m excited. I can’t wait, man. I think it’s going to be a great year. No matter what happens — I think it’s going to be a good year. 

BF: You talked earlier about how there will still be a little bit of continuity within the building, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, due to Joe Brady staying on board and becoming the head coach. And, looking at some of the betting odds, the Buffalo Bills are still one of the favorites to make it out of the AFC next season. So, with that said — do you think this team and coaching staff have what it takes to build off of last season in order to get over that hump, reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the early 1990s, and finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy next season?

MH: For sure. But, you really don’t know for real what kind of team you’ve got until, you know, the training camp gets here. You know what I mean? Like, when the pads get on and training camp gets here and you can see guys and, like, what work did you put in all offseason? Did you come back a better player? So, when that training camp gets here you kind of get an idea of what kind of team you’ve got, you know what I mean? And, what team that you’re bringing into the season. So, just from the outside looking in or, like, from right now — just seeing where everything’s going — we don’t know what addition is going to be added. We don’t know, you know, who’s coming back (or) who’s getting signed. So, there’s a lot of missing pieces — I’m sorry, moving parts — right? There’s a lot of moving parts that are still moving. So, once all those parts get together and we can get this, you know, this engine and this car all together and get it moving, then we’re going to have an idea what the direction is going to be. But, just from right now, you know, you’ve got a guy like Josh Allen, man. (He’s) one of the best in the league. That’s a pretty great start, you know what I mean? He’s a hell of a player — one of the best I’ve been around. You know, (he’s a) down to earth guy, great team player, great leader. So, having a guy like that on your side is not a bad start at all because it’s going to start with him. Just having him on that side (of the ball) — man, he’s going to come back in healthy — so yeah, it’s going to be fun. But, just having him is going to be a great start, and then when we get to training camp we’re going to figure out exactly, you know, what kind of team we’ve got. 

BF: You’ve been around Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes for many years, and now you’ve gotten the chance to be around Josh Allen in Buffalo for a little while. So, how are the two of them different from one another, and how are they also similar?

MH: I mean, I think they’re very similar players, man. They both are ballers. They both can get the job done, you know? Like a rare talent, both of them are, you know? It’s just the type of talent you don’t see every day. And, you know, it might be some years before you see something that’s like that (again) — for guys to come in and lead and make an impact right away how they did. So, being around both of them, man, I think they’re very similar players. You know, I think they both are (in) like two different systems. But, at the end of the day, I don’t think you can go wrong with having either of them on your team at the end of the game if (you’re trying) to get something done. So, outside of the individual accolades or, you know, the team success as far as player by player, I think they’re very similar, and I think they’re very different in their own ways, you know? Josh — he’s more of a, you know, he can run that ball for sure. He can definitely lower his shoulder. He can be physical. He can run like a running back at times, you know what I mean? And so, they’re different in a unique way — playmaking ability and how they want to make the play — whether it’s scrambling out (of) the pocket and trying to make something happen or being in the pocket. So, they’ve definitely got their own unique ways of how they’re different from each other. But, at the end of the day, they’re both great players and you can’t go wrong with either.

BF: If I could backtrack a little to that loss to Denver in the AFC divisional round — you scored a touchdown in that game. It looked awfully similar to another touchdown you scored earlier in your career . . . was that the same play that you scored the game-winning touchdown on in overtime with the Chiefs against the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII?

MH: Yeah, that’s the same play we ran in the Super Bowl, right. 

BF: How did that come about? Was that all Joe Brady? Or is that something that you brought up to him?

MH: Joe did. That’s all Joe, man, you know, just being able to watch my film and seeing what I was good at and what I’ve done over the years and trying to incorporate me in the offense, you know, just to give me some touches and doing those types of things. And, that’s one of the plays I run well because there’s a threat of being able to go get the jet sweep, you know? (The) defense has got to honor it in a sense, you know, because if you’re not — then you can hand the ball off to me, and I can get in (the endzone) that way, as well. So, I think that was a big thing. You know, I’m mad I got hurt the first game I got (to Buffalo), but I think that was just (Joe) watching film and seeing what I was good at and trying to find the best ways to put me in a position where I was comfortable, where I didn’t have to think, and I could just go out there and play. And then now, you know, having a whole offseason with them — I think I can be even more comfortable with the offense and the system in itself, and not just necessarily things that I’m comfortable running (in the past). But, it definitely was all Joe, though.

BF:  What’s that say about Joe as a coach? He was able to go back and find that play from your film, and then ultimately utilize it in a crucial playoff setting where you were counted on to have an increased snap count in that Denver game. Is it like that everywhere? I mean, you were with Andy Reid in Kansas City all of those years, so you’ve obviously been exposed to some great offensive coaching during your time in the league, but is every coach that attentive to little details like that?

MH: Oh, yeah, for sure. Any good coach, you know, you’ve got to know your personnel. You’ve got to know what you’re dealing with. You’ve got to know who’s good at what and who’s not good at (certain things). You don’t want to have somebody (doing) stuff that they’re not good or comfortable with, you know, until they get comfortable with it or they get good at it. And, that comes with practice. So, you know, especially with a guy coming in midseason like myself, just being able to make it as comfortable as possible (for me) and not make me think as much is key, is critical because when you’re out there, you don’t want to be worried about, “Oh, do we know this? Do we know that?” You know? Stuff like that. So, that’s what any player, any coach (would do). You want to be able to do things that you’re good at, and then as years go on or as the season goes on, you want to improve on certain things that you may not have been good at. Then, that kind of opens the playbook up when everybody gets comfortable with doing everything. So, now the defense doesn’t know who’s going to do what or what they can do that game — you can switch it up all the way. Like this week you run that, next week I’m going to have them run that because now we can switch it up. So, I think that goes with any system, any offense, you know? With the players that they got, you’ve got to adapt to your personnel. 

BF: What was that playcall called in the Super Bowl? Was it “Tiger 12, Tom & Jerry Right, Guns Trip, Right Bunch, F-Shuttle” or something like that?

MH: Yeah . . . All you really had to say was “Tom and Jerry Right” because it was a one-way play — same way, same formation, same everything, same personnel. So, he could’ve just went in there and just said, “Hey, Tom and Jerry Right.” And, then everybody would have known what to do and how to do it. So, yeah, it was one of the one-way playcalls. 

BF: Does Joe Brady ever get after you about arguing over LSU versus Georgia?

MH: No, we never really talked about it, for real. No, we never really got into it. But, I definitely need to talk to him about LSU, though, because I think we played LSU this year, I think, if I’m not mistaken? I don’t know if we played them this year or maybe that’s the next year. I know they’re going to be on the schedule, though. So, that’s definitely got to be something where you got to come in with some Georgia gear on if they ever want that.

BF: So Mecole, I just have a couple more questions. One of the last ones I have for you is about an injury you suffered a few seasons ago. I read about how you had to spend 10 days in the hospital a couple of years ago, and how that kind of changed your perspective on things. Can you just talk about that a little bit and how that whole experience was for you?

MH: Yeah. So, I had a core-muscle injury surgery. They called it osteitis pubis. And, what’s crazy is one thing about that — that was a freak injury, man. I was having a great year. I was feeling good. I was healthy. And then, like, the following day after the game, I just started, you know, it got hard to walk, hard to get up. I kept feeling this pain that I’ve never felt before. I mean, it’s probably one of the worst — it is the worst pain — I’ve ever felt in my life, and I just didn’t know, man. All I remember is my last steps I took was walking to the hospital chair and getting to the bed. And, you know, I lost a lot of feeling in my legs for like three or four days, and then after that, you know, the feelings started to come back and (I) started wiggling my toes and stuff like that. And, then I ended up being able to walk again and going back (to work) — started rehabbing and getting right. But, you know, I think in that AFC — I think it was the game before the AFC Championship game (or it was) against the Bengals (in that game) — I ended up pulling both of my groins. But, I think that’s the best thing to ever happen because I was told that (my pelvic injury) would get better over time. But, when I pulled my groins and Dr. Myers from Philly — he did my surgery — it was like I had so much scar tissue and it was so messed up over my pelvic bone that it was so hard to ignore. So, he had to repair all of that, and he did a lot of work on me. And, I thank him for that because he actually, you know, made me be able to not have any of those problems anymore. And, it was just one of those freak accidents. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know how it happened. They had specialists come in from all over to try to, you know, figure out the problem and see how it came about. But, it’s just one of those things that happens. But, yeah — it was one of those scary moments in my life. It kind of made me, you know, appreciate football a little bit more because at that time I wasn’t thinking about anything (like that). I guess it was just all football. But, you know, it just opened my mind and showed me that like (there’s) more to life, for sure, and, football can go on any day, and you’ve got to enjoy it while it’s here because it’s not for long, you know? It’s not going to be forever. So, just being able to – when I was in that position just thinking about, “Dang. I might not be able to play football again,” —  it kind of puts you in a different perspective on life and playing football, in general, and just knowing and enjoying the game while you can and as long as you can while you’re playing because it wasn’t just (the end), you know? You don’t have to call it quits. So, I’m kind of happy (it happened). It had its pros and cons for it (happening), but (it) definitely changed my perspective and gave me a little bit more motivation to enjoy this game much more than, you know, what you probably have (and) not taking it for granted as much as you did. 

BF: Alright, Mecole. Again, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do this interview with me. But, I just have one more pair of questions for you. First, just what are your thoughts on getting to play in the new stadium across Abbott Road next season? And, secondly, what are your thoughts on Bills Mafia as a fanbase?

MH: (The) stadium’s dope. Just going by (the new one) every day, man, (it’s exciting). Just knowing that it’s kind of like, you know, a new era, I guess you could say. It’s a new start, new stadium, new coach. So, just being able to go in that stadium, man, and perform in front of 60,000 fans packed out, it’s going to be great. And Bills Mafia is definitely one of the best fanbases in the league, if not the best. They’re definitely die-hard for the Bills, and I love it. You know, (it’s a) small town. They live, sleep, (and) breathe football. So, those game days will be a real good experience, and I’m glad to, you know, be part of it, (and) to be able to experience it. Definitely forever grateful for that, no matter what happens. So, definitely one of the fan bases that is top in the league, for sure.

Editor’s babble: Many thanks to John Green for his contributions to our blog. You can also find John on X @JGreen_PRsports.