OCTOBER 21: While reaffirming the Jets’ no-trade stance here, Saleh said the second-year wide receiver will not be active for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. Saleh said this situation reached a boiling point, with Cimini noting Moore and LaFleur engaged in a heated argument (Twitter link). Although Moore is back at the Jets’ facility, he will not practice Friday.
OCTOBER 20: A year after drafting Elijah Moore in the second round, the Jets have run into an issue with the talented young wideout. Moore is not happy with his role in Mike LaFleur‘s offense and wants out.
Moore has asked the Jets to trade him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). This comes after Moore made some cryptic comments on social media recently. The Jets excused Moore from practice Thursday, calling it a personal day. There appears more to the nature of Moore’s absence now. Moore’s behavior Thursday displeased Jets brass, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter).
The Jets do not plan to honor Moore’s request, Rapoport adds, but the resurgent team suddenly has an aerial-attack problem. Moore’s targets have dipped since Zach Wilson retook the quarterbacking reins. Joe Flacco targeted Moore 21 times during the Jets’ first three games; Wilson has thrown his way eight. The former Ole Miss wideout has caught just one pass over the past two weeks, though the Jets have not attempted as many passes in the games Wilson has started.
Addressing Moore’s lack of targets Thursday, Wilson called Moore “a great player” and noted (via Cimini, on Twitter) there were not a lot of opportunities last week — a Jets runaway upset win but one in which Moore caught zero passes. After the Jets’ 27-10 win over the Packers, Moore tweeted, “Just know I don’t understand either.” Wilson completed just 10 passes. Moore deleted the tweet, and Robert Saleh spoke with the disgruntled receiver about it.
“We’re all entitled to mistakes,” Saleh said during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN New York (via Cimini). “I know where his heart is. I know how he is when he walks in the building. I know how hard he works. I know how good a teammate he’s been. You know, sometimes mistakes happen, but I know where his heart is. That’s the important thing.”
Moore’s request comes nearly two months after Denzel Mims requested to be moved. The Jets discussed Mims with other teams but ultimately held onto the 2020 second-round pick. Mims does not have much of a role in New York’s offense. Moore does. He has played 83% of the Jets’ offensive snaps this season.
Last year, Moore looked like a long-term receiver in Gang Green’s attack. As the Jets cycled through quarterbacks, Moore caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns. He compiled those numbers despite missing six games, seeing his season halted by a quadriceps injury.
The Jets reconvened for their offseason program with more firepower at this position, having drafted Garrett Wilson 10th overall. This came after they were connected to just about every contract-seeking wideout — from Tyreek Hill to Amari Cooper to Deebo Samuel to D.K. Metcalf to A.J. Brown — this offseason. Wilson joined Moore, Corey Davis and the re-signed Braxton Berrios as Gang Green’s top targets. Thus far this season, Moore’s 203 receiving yards are just fifth on the team. Davis leads the way with 351, while Wilson has accumulated 290. The team also has a better rushing attack than it did last season, with second-round pick Breece Hall becoming a central figure for the Jets’ offense.
For now, it appears Moore will need to hope his targets increase in the coming weeks. He is short on options. The Jets have the 5-foot-10 pass catcher under contract through 2024.
That was quick.
He can’t be too angry when the QB only completes 10 passes. Wait till Wilson becomes a better thrower, or get into more opportunities to have him find you in open spots
It was raining in Green Bay so the Jets ran the ball more than they threw it.
Agreed. I don’t think any receiver can be happy when only 10 passes were completed. The run was working and helped them win, keeping the Packers off the field.
He’s also working with a 2nd year QB who has barely played a full season. Sprinkle in Davis and his contract along with another WR drafted in the first round and a RB who can run and I’d say there’s some other options available. He’s a solid player, just needs to give the team time to develop and grow together.
Ugh. The Jets just beat a team whose most glaring defensive weakness is their run defense. They have other mouths to feed in terms of pass catchers. Their young QB has been back a whopping three games, is still getting his feet under him, and has attempted a whopping 75 passes.
I like Moore a lot as a prospect, but come on man. He’s a second year player who hasn’t blown up yet, nor has he made it through a whole season. He’s played 83% of their offensive snaps this year–it’s not like they’re giving him the Denzel Mims treatment. He should be trying to grow in skill and rapport with the rest of a young roster that’s finally having a little success.
Looks like another case of “philosophical differences” except the only philosophy Moore seems to know is “Me,Me,Me”.
He just wants a chance to compete and contribute. What a jerk. If they’re not going to trade him or use him, why have him on the roster?
He was used plenty until the past three games. At that point, they installed an extremely raw quarterback, who they’ve had focus on game management until he gets his bearings. We tend to forget how young these players are, but Moore is quite immature and as impatient as you might expect for someone his age. His time will come, if he grows up; and maybe even if he doesn’t.
That is a BS take.
Thanks for your insight.
My point remains valid. 1 target with Zach Wilson having 355 yards passing today. Either use him or trade him. They’re doing themselves and him a disservice by just paying him to ride the bench.
Kids these days…
T-minus 6 minutes until he becomes the newest must get target for GB to pick up before the deadline, because as we know ANYBODY from another team has to be better than what they have.
Well, their #1 is a street FA no one else wanted then it’s a couple rookies. They dropped 5 passes last game.
Well, it’s also a well known fact that Rodgers doesn’t immediately jive with his pass catchers, so bringing in this guy, OBJ, or whoever doesn’t guarantee any improvement next week, next month, or at all this season.
It’s also know obj is a proven play maker and you don’t need to jive with open receivers. You throw them the ball.
It’s also been reported he’s most likely going back to the Rams. Or to Buffalo. Or maybe KC, the Giants or who knows. Seems like if he really wanted to go to GB, he would have done it last year when Adams was still there.
And none of it matters until he’s actually ready to play.
All of which is White Male Sports Media Roulette. No NFL club is giving a big-money contract to a diva who tore his ACL in the Super Bowl.
As a long time Mets fan – hey kid – Shut Up and prepare for the next game
Can I get a thumbs-down on that? Baseball is not the NFL.
His numbers are comparable with last year – and equally unremarkable. He should try getting open a little more often so that every ball thrown his way isn’t contested (55% catch percentage).
Can we assume Zach Wilson slept with his mom?
that would make more sense than complaining he isn’t getting the ball. The kid barely isn’t a rookie anymore. How does he feel he has standing to demand the ball or a trade? ridiculous
Because he’s a kid, that’s why.
Whatever happened to….I just want to win man! Now it’s my is is finally successful but I don’t see the ball so I want out. He is playing 83% of the snaps, keep running routes, get open and passes will come your way. Zach Wilson needs time to develop and so do his young WR.
He is talented, but maybe Saleh should find Moore’s receipt and get that second round pick back if he is going to be like this.
That’s exactly what I find annoying. This was a great win for the Jets. And Moore is complaining that he couldn’t run his stats up? Not exactly team-first.
“Contribute” is much different from “run his stats up”.
Feels like the case of a young player thinking he deserves more than he’s earned to this point. If you can’t show patience, the team holds all the power. If the Jets don’t want to sell low on him, they could just bench him or reduce snaps if he’s acting out in the facilities and then it becomes a lose-lose for everybody. Moore diminishes his value/development and the Jets don’t gain leverage in trade talks. This could significantly damage this kid’s career before it’s had the chance to get going.
Have to wonder if it’s his agent wanting this so he can get a payday from a successful player. This guy needs better advice. Put your head down and compete. Work hard and earn it. You’re on a 4-2 team with upside. There will be opportunities.
Just what this team needs right now: a distraction. This better not screw with the team’s momentum!
team is 4-2 and he wants out because the team is winning w/o him being focal point?? what a (fill in the blank)