One development during the New York Jets bye week was the official announcement made by head coach Robert Saleh that talented second-year wide receiver, Elijah Moore, would be moving into the slot.
Moore, a second-round draft pick just a year ago, had a huge ending to his rookie season but has hardly seen opportunities so far this year.
In eight games played throughout 2022, Moore has been targeted 30 times, catching only 16 passes for 203 yards. It led to well-documented public frustrations, a personal day, and an inevitable trade request.
Now though, with Coach Saleh making it known Moore will get more reps out of the slot, also coming off of a bye week with time off, Moore seems excited and ready to help the Jets in the second half of the year toward the playoffs.
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New York Jets WR Elijah Moore shares optimism:
Moore spent the bye week home in Florida with his family. He is back at the Jets facility in a happy mood.
On where he is at mentally and how he feels about the position change from the outside at the X position now inside to the slot, Moore shared the following.
“I feel good. I got my spirit right, I reflected over everything. I had time with my family. I feel good. I feel rejuvenated… I’m ready man… Moving to the slot, I feel like it’s going to be an adjustment as far as the playbook, but I’m super excited. I want to put my best foot forward and just be super positive… Whenever stuff like this happens and the situation I’m in, everyone’s watching you. There are more eyes. You want to make sure you set an example, because someone else will go through this someday, too. You want to be able to say you handled it well, and that’s all I wanted to do.”
Following the big win over the Bills, Moore was pumped in the locker room with his teammates. He stated this.
“I was just happy we won… Either way that game was super exciting, even if I was you know… I already know what my situation is. I’m trying to make it better every day. That was a moment that was bigger than me. We just beat the Bills.”
It definitely seems as if Moore is in a great mood with the Jets right now. Undoubtedly, a plus for this football team. The Jets are looking to make the playoffs, and getting Moore going, more consistently involved in this offense, will only help.
Moore is still such a young player at 22 with all of the talent to be a core Jet. Hopefully, the second half of 2022 starts a different story for the talented wide receiver.