Elijah Moore says he doesn’t know about his chemistry with Zach Wilson
Elijah Moore has been evading media members like Barry Sanders used to dance away from defenders 20 years ago.
But finally, Sunday after the Jets 22-17 loss to the Patriots, Moore was ready to talk to the media after he requested a trade from the Jets over a week ago.
The second-year receiver said he wished he had handled things differently than he did.
“What happened with me, I can’t change that,” Moore said. “I just wish it didn’t cause so much of a distraction for my teammates.
“It is what it is, things that happen behind the scenes that people really don’t know about. It isn’t all necessarily bad, but there are a lot of conversations that need to stay in house.
“I feel good about where I’m at. I check in with the same preparation as I did before. I put my best foot forward.”
Two weeks ago, after the Jets 27-10 victory against the Packers, Moore voiced his displeasure with how he was being used in the Jets offense. In that game, Moore was targeted zero times.
He took to Twitter to let the Jets and fans know he was not happy with the number of touches he received.
“If I say what I really wanna say… I’ll be the selfish guy…we winning,” Moore said. “Grateful! Huge blessing! All I ever wanted. Bittersweet for me, but I’ll be solid. So I’ll just stay quiet. Just know I don’t understand either.”
Later that same week, Moore wasn’t present during a Thursday practice leading up to the game against the Broncos. Jets coach Robert Saleh said Moore was excused from practice due to a personal matter. But hours later, Moore had requested a trade, which the Jets denied after a reported verbal disagreement with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
Moore was later made inactive for the game against the Broncos as he stayed in New Jersey instead. He returned to the team on Monday and practiced throughout the course of the week.
Moore didn’t play a ton in the loss against the Patriots. He was targeted once in the game as the pass sailed over his head. Saleh said Moore’s lack of playing time had nothing to do with his trade request.
It isn’t a coincidence that Moore’s production went down once Zach Wilson became the starter once again after he suffered a meniscus tear and bone bruise during the preseason.
During the first three weeks of the season, Moore recorded 12 catches for 139 yards. Since Wilson’s return, Moore has caught just four passes for 64 yards.
When asked about his chemistry with Zach Wilson, he was blunt and completely honest.
“I don’t even know, I couldn’t even tell you,” Moore said. “I don’t get the ball, I don’t know.”
The NFL trading deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. The Jets have continued to say that they have no plans to trade Moore.
However, if the team does not plan on using the former second-round pick, it might be in their best interest to move on and get some draft capital for Moore. As a rookie in 11 games, Moore caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns. This year in seven games, Moore has just 16 receptions for 203 yards and zero touchdowns.
When asked if he still wanted to be traded, Moore declined to answer the question directly.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Moore said. “I’m here and while I’m here, I want to do the best I can for my teammates.
“I love all my teammates and they’re my brothers. We didn’t get the win today, but we are trying to focus on the next game.”
