Elijah Moore regrets that he became a distraction during a winning streak, but suggested that his issues with the Jets were bigger than he could keep inside.
Speaking to reporters Sunday for the first time since he was sent home from the team facility after an argument with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and subsequent trade request on Oct. 20, Moore still was searching for answers on why his role has drastically decreased since quarterback Zach Wilson returned from a three-game injury absence. What is the chemistry like between the first- and second-round picks in the Jets’ 2021 draft class?
“I don’t even know,” Moore said after going without a catch on one target and playing just a handful of snaps in a 22-17 loss to the Patriots. “I couldn’t even tell you. I don’t get the ball. I don’t know.”
The 22-year-old receiver, who is signed through 2024, neither doubled down on nor rescinded his request to be traded before Tuesday’s deadline. He said he was in “a better position than we are right now as far as relationship” earlier in the season.
Elijah Moore neither doubled down on nor rescinded his request to be traded before Tuesday’s deadline. Bill Kostroun“What happened with me, I can’t change that,” Moore said. “I only wish it didn’t cause so much of a distraction for my teammates. It is what it is. There are some things behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t know about. Not all necessarily bad, but just a lot of conversations that need to stay in-house.”
Moore averaged 3.9 catches and 48.4 yards on seven targets per game (with five touchdowns) in his first 14 career games. Since Wilson replaced Joe Flacco, Moore has four catches for 64 yards on nine targets in four games. Rookie Garrett Wilson has replaced Moore as the Jets’ No. 1 option and even seldom-used Denzel Mims — another receiver with a trade request that the Jets have not granted — played a bigger role Sunday than Moore, even with starter Corey Davis sidelined by injury.
“I didn’t really impact anything,” Moore said. “It’s not about that. I prepared the week the best I could. Whenever my name is called I try to do my best. That’s all that matters.”
The first hint at Moore’s frustration began Oct. 16 with a Tweet hours after a win. That led to his benching last week. Just like LaFleur downplayed the argument as a “tough conversation,” Moore said that he and the play-caller are “in a good spot” after they were seen hugging at Wednesday’s practice. To him, the “moral of the story” is to spend less time on social media.
Moore sounded like he is wrestling with what is best for his career — “This is like a legacy. I love football a lot,” he said — and what is best for the team. The Jets had won four in a row before losing to the Patriots.
“That’s the part I wish I could’ve kept internalized,” Moore said. “I still stand on it not being about me. It’s just the way this business is. [Media] can say what you want, write what you want. At the end of the day, everyone is going to move in the best way that they can for each individual. I’ve got a family to feed, too.”
Admitting that his minimized role is “frustrating” by “a continuous number of things,” Moore said he had an idea based on practice that his snaps would be down.
“If I would’ve caught a go-ball and sparked everything, it probably would’ve been different,” he said. “While I’m here, I want to do the best I can. I want to help my teammates. I love all my brothers. We didn’t get the win, but we’re trying to focus on the next game.”
