The New York Jets have dealt WR Elijah Moore to the Browns in exchange for draft picks that might get used on an upcoming Aaron Rodgers mega trade
BEREA, Ohio– In less than a week after Aaron Rodgers announced his intentions to play for the Jets, New York has traded away one of their biggest assets in Elijah Moore to the Browns. Moore, 22 was one of the NFL’s rising talents just two years ago in 2021. Now, it seems like the team has moved on, looking for an overhaul in their receiver room by making it clear they’re willing to part ways with even the most esteemed players.
New York traded Elijah Moore and a third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for the 42nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, one which lands in the second round. Loading up on ammunition for a potential Aaron Rodgers trade from Green Bay, the Jets have made it their priority to go all-in for the veteran quarterback who seems intent on making the switch to Gotham Green.
Almost immediately after news broke of Moore’s dealing to Cleveland, the Jets signed his replacement in Mecole Hardman, a lanky speedster from Kansas City who has been under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ purview for his entire career. The Jets also signed Allen Lazard, Aaron Rodgers’ favorite receiver in 2022– a shot across the bow for the Packers who have been reluctant to deal Rodgers without adequate compensation.
The Packers have reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Rodgers if not two, which the Jets have balked on. New York hopes that a slew of second and mid-round picks could get the job done, but Green Bay doesn’t seem in a rush to trade a player which if sent off, would hit the Packers with $9 million of dead cap hit in 2023.
Moore in 2022 caught 37 passes for 446 yards and one touchdown. His sophomore campaign was a drastic drop off from his promising rookie year where he scored five touchdowns and caught 538 yards worth of passes. Moore had originally requested a trade early on in the season after he vocally voiced displeasure with the Jets and their offensive scheme which hindered his impact on the team.
The Jets never ended up honoring Moore’s request, forcing him to complete the season– in which he showed improvement towards the end, but was disappointing overall.
“I feel like I’m [in Cleveland] for a reason. People go through things, and you learn from them,” Elijah Moore said Thursday. “I feel like I’m the type of person that learns from my mistakes. I’m gonna do what I feel like I could’ve done better last year.”
For now, Moore has been eclectic about his switch to the Browns, pairing up with veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns have been wanting to find a deep threat for Watson for some time now, with rumors about the team trying to target Denver Broncos’ wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as collateral of a mini rebuild in the Mile High city. Instead, they were able to land Moore for a cheaper price reportedly, with the contract falling into the $6-7 million range.
Deshaun Watson now gets a trio of receivers to use, with Moore pairing up with Donovan Peoples-Jones, and electric vested receiver Amari Cooper. Moore on the other hand stated that “the trade came out of nowhere,” and that he “couldn’t be happier to be in Cleveland.” Moore has also expressed his excitement to play with Watson, after a season of playing with begrudgingly and growingly hated Zach Wilson.
“He’s a legit quarterback,” Moore told reporters on Thursday, per 923TheFan.com. “It’s someone that has been doing some amazing things around the league. He has respect from everybody around the league. They talk really highly about him here and they believe in him, and man, with him being my quarterback, I believe in him too.”
“I can’t predict the future, but I’m going to put my best foot forward,” Elijah Moore said. “I feel like I’m here for a reason, so whatever happens, I’m going to be ready for it. People go through things and you got to learn from it. I feel like I’m the type of person that learns from my mistakes. You see what I’m saying? We’re all human so I’m just going to try to do what I feel like I could’ve did better last year in whatever position I’m going to be in now.”
