Elijah Moore eyes fresh start with Browns after trade from Jets

On Mar 23, 2023

New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) makes a catch with pressure from Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) in the second half. The Lions defeat the Jets, 20-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.

Elijah Moore’s time with the New York Jets seemed to be ticking down the moment he had a public outburst last year with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. It came to an end on Wednesday, when the Browns acquired him in exchange for their second-round pick.

For the Browns, it’s the opportunity to add a talented young receiver to their offense. For Moore, it’s a chance to reshape the direction in which his career, which is only two years old, is going with a new team.

“I can’t predict the future, but I’m going to put my best foot forward,” Moore said Thursday during his introductory Zoom call. “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 done better last year in whatever position I’m going to be in now.”

The outburst with LaFleur a year ago came after a Week 6 win over the Green Bay Packers in which he did not have a single target. That led to Moore being inactive as a disciplinary measure the following week against the Denver Broncos, followed by two more games where he didn’t get targeted.

Browns land receiver Elijah Moore:Cleveland Browns acquire receiver Elijah Moore, third-round pick from the New York Jets

Moore, in retrospect, doesn’t back down from the principle behind his words.

“I wouldn’t take anything back,” Moore said. “Would I have worded some things differently? Yes, but not take anything back. My heart was always in the right spot. I never move without intention. I’m very intentional. So especially in a positive way. And I always move with respect. So if that’s my intentions, I don’t have nothing to regret.”

Moore finished with 37 catches and 446 yards and one touchdown on 65 targets in 16 games last season. While the number of games he played in went up from the 11 he played as a rookie second-round pick out of Ole Miss the year before, every other stat dropped from a 43-catch, 538-yard, five-touchdown, 77-target 2021 campaign.