Kansas City Chiefs WR Skyy Moore finished his rookie season about the best way you could ask for. He scored a touchdown in Super Bowl LVII, helping the team to their latest Lombardi Trophy in the process.
Moore’s rookie campaign wasn’t all sunshine and roses, though. He appeared in less than 30% of the offensive snaps and saw just 22 receptions on 33 targets for 250 yards receiving. It’s hardly what you’d call a productive season for a rookie wide receiver.
Speaking to media members following last week’s OTAs, Chiefs WRs coach Connor Embree gave an update on Moore and explained why he thinks he’ll be taking the next step in 2023.
“Skyy (Moore)? Yeah, Skyy’s been great,” Embree said. “Skyy, you know we put a lot on him last year. Usually, when we get a receiver, we try to keep them at one position. And, you know that’s easier to learn that way, but we threw a lot at him last year. He played every position, all three of them – x, zebra and z. But he’s been great. He came back in great shape. He looks stronger (and) he’s a little bigger and then he’s just got that year under his belt. So, he’s not that little puppy dog anymore. He kind of understands what’s going on (and) understands the tempo we practice at and just how to be a pro so he’s been great.”
The fact that Moore got a super-sized helping of all the wide receiver positions in the offense likely put him behind the eight ball a bit as a rookie. He didn’t have the luxury of being able to hone in on just a single position. This season, he’ll have a greater grasp of each of those roles and he’ll be able to hone in on a single role more as the receiver room develops.
There will be an increased number of opportunities for Moore in 2023 with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman no longer on the team. There’s also something to be said about the work he’s done in the offseason with Patrick Mahomes. Not only is he in better shape than he was a year ago, but he also has a budding connection with his quarterback, which should pay dividends when the season arrives in September.
