Doesn't matter what Hardman did, with regards to tampering.
Only way it's tampering is if Veach responded and actively engaged in discussions insinuating they might try and acquire him. If there is no proof of that, then this thing has no legs.
The only thing this may have done was let Veach know he might possibly be available before trade deadline, but again, that's not on Veach. That was Hardman.
Hardman can text Mahomes. They're friends and played together for years. It's not tampering to text a player on another team. Unless Mahomes said, I talked to Veach and we coming to save you (which obviously he didn't), there's nothing to this.
Just a frustrated player wanting out. Nothing more.
If the NFL wants to punish someone over this (which they might due to their stupid witchhunts with no evidence - see Hill, Elliott, etc.) then they should punish Hardman.
But honestly there's nothing to this. Just the typical reerun fan reaction from other teams fans 'they cheated! Take their 1st round pick'.
