New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore, who recently expressed frustration with his suddenly limited role, was excused from Thursday practice by the team to attend to a personal matter involving his family amid reports he requested an exchange.
“Elijah Moore, frustrated with his role and usage, requested a trade,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapport tweeted. ‘The team has no plan to change him. The former second-round player was targeted once in a win over the #Packers, but the play was overturned for a penalty.
To add more fuel to the fire of a potential trade, close friend, former Mississippi teammate AJ Brown, who now plays for the Eagles, tweeted ‘#FreeElijah’ in response to the internal NFL post.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news that Moore had formally requested a trade
In response to NFL Insider’s tweet, the Eagles’ AJ Brown simply tweeted #FreeElijah
The New York Jets’ Elijah Moore was only attacked once in a win over the Packers on October 16.
Moore, 22, was not seen during the first part of practice that reporters can see. Coach Robert Saleh, who does not hold a news conference on Thursdays, briefly updated reporters on the sidelines on the reason for Moore’s absence without providing details.
In the first of three Twitter posts, Moore said, “I love my teammates!” That was followed by: ‘When someone tells you how they feel the first time, BELIEVE THEM!’ The final tweet read: ‘God I need direction’. The latter two have since been removed. Earlier Thursday, Moore also tweeted: ‘God makes no mistakes…I trust you through this Allllllll…’
Moore, a second-round pick last year out of Mississippi, created some social media buzz Sunday after New York’s 27-10 win at Green Bay, the team’s third straight win, when he quoted and tweeted the Post by a reporter noting he had no receiving targets in the game.
“If I say what I really mean…I’ll be the selfish guy…we’ll win,” Moore said in the since-deleted post. ‘Grateful! Huge blessing! All I wanted. Sweet butter for me, but I’ll be solid. So I’ll keep quiet.
‘I just know I don’t understand either.’
In recent days, Moore has shared some cryptic tweets about his future and adversity.
The 22-year-old wide receiver was a 2021 second-round pick and the Jets have no plans to trade him.
Moore is coming off a promising rookie season during which he caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games, including six starts.
However, his production has dipped this season, with just 16 receptions for 203 yards and no touchdowns in six games, all starts, as he works on an offense that includes wide receivers Corey Davis, rookie Garrett Wilson and Braxton Berrios, the tight ends CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin and running backs Breece Hall and Michael Carter. The Jets have also focused more on running the ball in recent weeks.
We have had conversations. It’s fine,’ Saleh said Monday when asked about Moore’s postgame tweets. He is a competitive young man. Like everyone else, when you’re a competitor like him, he wants to contribute.’
Saleh added that he has no problem with Moore.
“He’s one of our high-character individuals,” the coach said. ‘I love him to death. Eventually, the production part he hopes will come. He just keeps working.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody said ‘both sides need to work this out!’
On Thursday, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur echoed Saleh’s comments, adding that he has had an “open dialogue” with the wide receiver, but “we’re going to keep it internal.”
Two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody said the commercial saga is “definitely not the best look” for Moore “while his team is playing winning football.”
‘On the other hand, this guy is too talented to be so underused. You mean you can’t find ways to get the ball into his hands? Both sides need to work this out!’ he added.
The Jets play in Denver on Sunday. There was no immediate word on when Moore would return to the team or if he will be available to play in the game.
