The Kansas City Chiefs have become one of the least popular teams in the NFL as they seem to get all of the breaks from both officiating crews and league officials.  In virtually every Kansas City playoff win over the past five years, there is at least one questionable call by officials that directly leads to a victory.  This season, star players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were seen bullying Ravens kicker Justin Tucker prior to a game and then Kelce was seem attacking his head coach during the teams Super Bowl victory.

It’s hard to picture this team making any other public relations blunders but they seem to top themselves over and over again.

Chiefs Wide Receiver Acknowledges Violation of Rules in Aggressive Tweet

kansas city chiefs super bowl lviiiLas Vegas, United States. 11th Feb, 2024. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to win Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI

To add to the nonstop torrent of annoying acts made by the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, wide receiver Mecole Hardman was interviewed on Ryan Clark’s Pivot Podcast and answered some questions regarding his departure from the New York Jets last season.  While no one can argue that New York was a complete mess last season, there were some questionable comments made.

 
USATSI 22501950 168400517 lowres scaledFeb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest revelation from the interview was that Hardman was approached by both Kansas City General Manger Brett Veach and Mahomes while he was still under contract with New York.  If Veach or Mahomes approached Hardman, it would blatantly violate the NFL’s code of conduct regarding tampering.  That rule was enforced just a few years ago when the Miami Dolphins forfeited a first round draft pick for an attempt to lure then New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to south Florida.
new york jets mecole hardmanWR Mecole Hardman during his time with the New York Jets. Credit: New York Jets
At the minimum, the NFL needs to investigate to ensure that rules weren’t broken during this incident.  Kansas City may be a dynasty but no team should be allowed to actively recruit from other NFL rosters during the season.  It completely disintegrates the integrity of the game especially when Hardman stated that he refused to return punts against his former team.  The decision put New York into a bind as their usual returner Xavier Gipson had gone down with an injury.
kansas city chiefs mecole hardmanLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
While the NFL has gone out of their way to enforce some absurd rules, they have a tendency to avoid penalizing their big profit centers.  While Kansas City may be the best team in the entire NFL, the rules of fair play dictate that they should be held to the same standards as everyone else.