NFL mum on potential investigation into Mecole Hardman leak allegations

The NFL is staying silent on the sticky situation between the Jets and their former receiver Mecole Hardman.

As first suggested by players Sauce Gardner and Kenny Yeboah on their social-media accounts, the Jets believe that a disgruntled Hardman leaked game-plan specifics to the Eagles and Chiefs ahead of matchups last season, according to a SNY report.

Hardman fired back by saying “false accusations” were made about his character and he has “never and would never leak game plans to another team.”

The NFL declined comment when asked if it is investigating the situation involving one of the stars of Super Bowl 2024, according to Pro Football Talk.

Hardman, who was traded to the Chiefs in October, caught the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat the 49ers.

There seems to be plenty worth investigating, given that the NFL’s anti-gambling policy cracks down against violating the integrity of games.

Per the policy: “You must not share or provide access to confidential, non-public information regarding any NFL game or event, including but not limited to: (a) a participant’s availability for or performance in an NFL game or event; or (b) personnel-related decisions regarding an official, player, coach, team manager, or League or Club executive, including team rosters, player contract status, and game working assignments with any third-party that does not have a need or right to know such information (e.g., a player may notify his personal physician, family member and agent about his own condition). As further provided in Section 10 of this Policy, you must report any request for, disclosure of, or possible sharing of such information.”

Jets general manager Joe Douglas also suggested that there might be cause to look into tampering allegations because Hardman told “The Pivot” that he asked Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to “come get me” before he was traded.

Hardman later walked back that comment, but his trashing of the Jets on that same podcast is what led his former teammates to retaliate with implications that he was the reason two Jets’ games were not on the level.

Hardman is a free agent. If NFL teams believe he cannot be trusted because of the Jets’ accusations, he could have a hard time getting a contract, so an investigation might be needed if a grievance is initiated by either side.

The NFL’s no comment comes as its handling of the Patriots’ Spygate (quickly destroying tapes) and Deflate-gate scandals (dropping a hammer on Tom Brady) comes under renewed fire because of “The Dynasty” documentary on AppleTV+.