Jets GM: Hardman's criticism 'resonated with us'

The New York Jets aren't pleased with Mecole Hardman.

After the receiver ripped his former team on "The Pivot" podcast, Jets general manager Joe Douglas said his comments "definitely resonated with us," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

"I'll just say, we were excited to sign Mecole," Douglas added. "He was excited to, obviously, join our team. Xavier Gipson really came on for us this year. ... So, ultimately, we made a decision to move on from Mecole ... he was excited to be here, and it just didn't work out. And a lot of that has to do with Xavier."

Jets punter Thomas Morstead was far more blunt.

"Be careful getting information from disgruntled former employees," he said on X. "Getting beat out by a rookie free agent after being guaranteed millions of dollars is tough to deal with. Entitlement is a killer of opportunity. You have to earn it every year."

Hardman criticized the team's culture and lack of an offensive game plan Tuesday, saying the Jets have "no standard there." He recorded just one reception on three targets for six yards in five games with the club after signing a one-year, $4-million deal last spring. New York traded him to the Chiefs in October.

Hardman also pointed to a dispute between himself and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer as an additional source of frustration while in New York.

"I was so checked out. ... I already talked to (Chiefs GM Brett) Veach, Pat (Mahomes), like, 'Come get me,'" Hardman said Tuesday.

That comment, in particular, created a stir on social media as teams aren't permitted to have contact with another team's players or coaches. Hardman clarified that he didn't have discussions with the Chiefs prior to being dealt.

Any team that's been found to have tampered could lose draft picks.

It's unclear if the Jets will pursue tampering charges against the Chiefs, per Cimini. A league spokesperson declined to comment on if New York has requested an investigation.