The 2023 NFL season is approaching the midpoint, and teams are jockeying for postseason positioning. The Kansas City Chiefs are among the top teams in the league due in large part to teamwork and standout qualities from their offensive playmakers.
Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, courtesy of Charmin Ultra Soft Smooth Tear, to discuss the leadership of Patrick Mahomes while dealing with ailments and the impact of Mecole Hardman returning to the team.
“Just a competitor, man. That’s just who he is,” Valdes-Scantling explained. “Everything about him says he wants to compete as long as he can throw the football and he can go out there with one leg, as you saw last year. So that’s just the guy that we have leading us. You can’t ask for a better leader and better competitor.”
The Chiefs reacquired Hardman recently after a trade with the New York Jets to fortify their receiver’s room. He has an impact on the team that stretches beyond the football field, according to Valdes-Scantling.
“I mean, he’s a high-energy guy, man,” He explained. “You’ll hear him the second he walks into the building. He brings a different type of juice; obviously, his talent speaks for itself, you know, he’s one of those guys that you can’t just pick up off the street because of how fast he runs, man. He’s one of those unique talents that comes around every blue moon, I think he ran a 4.2 or something coming out.
“So, you know, that’s something that you can’t emulate. And having him part of our team is gonna pay off dividends. You saw it in the first week back when he had the big punt return. We had some hiccups yesterday with it. But he’s one of those guys where you give them the ball, and he’ll make something happen with it.”
Mahomes and Hardman were vital members of two Super Bowl title teams. Their effectiveness for the rest of this season will be crucial to the Chiefs’ chances of adding a third.