Throughout the regular season, dropped passes stifled the Chiefs offense and, at times, directly contributed to losses. It was why the defending Super Bowl champs looked extra vulnerable heading into the playoffs despite winning the AFC West title.
During Saturday’s win against the Dolphins at a frigid Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs still had several dropped passes. But wide receiver Mecole Hardman found a different way to waste big-play opportunities without actually dropping the ball.
He simply opted against even making an effort to catch well-placed passes from Patrick Mahomes. Can’t drop a pass if you pretend that pass doesn’t exist.
This was a perfect throw and should be a walk in touchdown I can't stop laughing https://t.co/If66GlVDbx pic.twitter.com/zN8N93WMNe
— AP 🌵𓅓🍎 (@Light_2610) January 14, 2024
During the third quarter, Hardman let a perfect throw from Mahomes fall incomplete. It appeared that all Hardman had to do was reach forward to haul in the pass, but he oddly watched the ball fall to the ground without trying to catch it.
Earlier in the game, Hardman gave up on a play to complain about a missed defensive holding call. And while Hardman was right to be upset, he could have still had a chance at the pass if he continued to play through the contact rather than turn to the official.
Hardman might have been able to catch this if he didn’t decide to complain mid play
Why is this guy still in the league?
— Fantasy Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) January 14, 2024
missed pi call for mecole hardman pic.twitter.com/VvUi5WAenL
— ◇ (@2MANYBRIDGES) January 14, 2024
That first play had fans especially confused, though. Why wouldn’t Hardman try to catch that pass?
This was how Twitter reacted
After the "we will not catch any pass thrown our way" bit, Mecole Hardman has found a way to be even funnier by simply not acknowledging the reality of a football coming his way.
These are generational comedians https://t.co/ZJEMxsKCiN— 🌸sports tweeter Matthias🌸 (tonesetter) (@KryzivenTake2) January 14, 2024
Brett Veach’s splash move for a receiver. https://t.co/Os9ye18ioR
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) January 14, 2024
Mahomes still has no help btw https://t.co/Bs6g141iSp
— Ty (@Iso_Ty_3) January 14, 2024
Did this at least 3 times yesterday https://t.co/QsJKgQvx86
— Jaylen (@Comxthzine) January 14, 2024
They call Mahomes overrated and his deep ball regressed cause nobody on this damn roster can't track a ball https://t.co/yXBzjTChgw
— Tori 🪓 (@VexusWasTaken) January 14, 2024
Can’t believe they traded for bro https://t.co/7aFOKDstTB
— Chris Adams (@Chrisadams82) January 14, 2024
This Was the big trade that veach did at the deadline btw https://t.co/N3Wp0aQCnd
— John Baione (@OJSIMPS0NBURNER) January 14, 2024
It’s known Mecole will make mistakes like this and can’t be relied on full-time
But he hasn’t even given KC some of those big splash plays as a YAC gadget guy this year like he used to https://t.co/TaHdY6kTWH
— Aidan Maher (@Aidan_Maher17) January 14, 2024
This team cannot be allowed to sniff the AFCC. https://t.co/3H9EAaUifj
— Alex (go bills) (@dogshit95) January 14, 2024
