The Kansas City Chiefs were on the bye last week, giving players some much-needed rest before they prepare to finish the 2021 season strong enough to earn a seed to this year’s postseason tournament. But as the players were away from team facilities, the coaching staff were hard at work searching for ways the team could improve.
Watching film from the previous eleven games, Special Teams coach Dave Toub told reporters on Thursday that there is one aspect the Chiefs could improve on fourth down.
“I think we had a really good last four weeks on special teams. It’s moving in the right direction,” Toub told reporters on Thursday. “There’s always room for improvement. I think our punt-return game, we need to get going a little bit more as far as our numbers and returns and stuff like that. As a coach, you’re never really satisfied, you know? You’re always looking to improve,” he explained.
Kansas City’s starting punt returner is wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who has struggled to make plays as a return man. Hardman has averaged 10.8 yards per return in eight returns this season. Three weeks ago in Las Vegas, Toub named Hughes the punt returner, which resulted in 2 returns for 46 yards, an average of 26 yards per return, and his longest run-back of the night went for 37.
“We’re trying to get a spark,” said Toub. “We’re not giving up on Mecole by any means. He’s probably the most dynamic guy we have. But just a little bit, maybe just sit back and watch a little bit and watch from the sideline. Maybe that will help your confidence maybe a little bit and watch somebody else do it. We’re happy; Mike does a great job. He’s a good catcher, makes good decisions, and we just want to get that part of our game going. You try different things like that.”
Toub stuck with Hughes the following week against the Dallas Cowboys while Hardman saw no special teams snaps. Thus, giving a clear indication that the third-year receiver has been benched.
“Here’s the thing… you want all your players to play as many positions as possible because when it’s all said and done with, we’re part of this team, we’re part of this organization,” explained offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. “It’s not about having one particular role. You want a number of roles that people can count on you. OK?
“So obviously, with coach Toub making that decision, obviously, he felt that was the best decision moving forward for the team. Now, the thing that we need to make sure is that Mecole is maximizing all the different opportunities that he’s being given. Obviously, with the wide receiver group — we just want our guys — the guys who are on the field — to give us the best chance to have success. And so, Mecole’s going to be given that opportunity. He just needs to continue maximizing it.”
The problem with Bieniemy’s words is there has been no increase in snaps that Hardman has received on offense. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite. Over the last three games against the Packers, Raiders, and Cowboys, the percentage of playing time Hardman has received on offense has dwindled from 65% to 32% to 18%.
2021 was a year that set high expectations for Hardman to be Kansas City’s second true receiver opposite Tyreek Hill, and so far, he hasn’t answered the call (as far as the coaching staff is concerned). With just six games left in the regular season, the time is now for the former Georgia Bulldog to take that next before that window potentially closes for good.
