Oct xx, 2022

  • Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

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    • Longtime Jets beat writer for New York Daily News
    • Syracuse Academy graduate

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore, frustrated by his lack of involvement in the criminal offence, requested a trade Thursday, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to ESPN.

Moore's asking, starting time reported by NFL Network, came on a day in which he was sent dwelling house before practise for what the team called a "personal day." Passenger vehicle Robert Saleh, in brief comments to reporters on the field, said Moore was excused because of a family effect.

Sources said Moore's absence was tied straight to him being upset with his usage, with one source saying he expressed his displeasure to members of the organization. It escalated to a point where Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur believed it would exist best if Moore left the facility for a day to let his emotions -- and theirs -- settle down.

Moore returned to the squad'southward training facility on Friday.

The Jets are not considering a trade, a source said. The NFL trading borderline is Nov. 1.

Moore, a 2021 second-round option, became the second Jets broad receiver in the past two months to request a trade. Denzel Mims, a 2020 second-rounder, made his request at the end of the preseason.

"As of right now, it'south still on the table," Mims told ESPN Thursday.

Mims, a healthy scratch in the showtime six games, could be pressed into action Sun against the Denver Broncos if the Jets decide to make Moore inactive.

Moore'south frustration had been building for weeks, only information technology didn't go public until Sunday night. A few hours after the 27-10 upset of the Green Bay Packers -- a game in which he had no official targets -- Moore tweeted his feelings.

"If I say what I really wanna say ... I'll be the selfish guy... we winning. Grateful! Huge approval! All I ever wanted. Butter sweetness for me em just I'll be solid. So I'll just stay quiet Simply know I don't understand either."

Moore didn't brand himself available Wednesday to accost the comments. On Thursday, minutes before the Jets took the exercise field, he sent two ambiguous tweets. The first tweet said, "Dearest my teammates!" The 2nd tweet, since deleted, said, "God I need management."

Moore, who showed promise as a rookie, hasn't been productive this flavor -- only 16 receptions and no touchdowns.

Both Saleh and LaFleur have discussed the matter with Moore. On Monday, Saleh, referring to the tweet, defended Moore'south character but added, "Sometimes mistakes happen."

"We've had open dialogues," LaFleur said Thursday. "We're going to go on information technology in-house." LaFleur declined to get into specifics as to why Moore isn't getting more opportunities. He'southward sixth on the team in total receptions fifty-fifty though he has run the almost routes (215), according to ESPN Stats & Information inquiry.

"We want those guys to be ultracompetitive and want the ball," LaFleur said of the receivers. "We're going to do what nosotros feel is all-time to score points and win football games and he's a big office of that."

Quarterback Zach Wilson said he "volition just go on encouraging [Moore]. We dear him. I know how important he is to this team. Nosotros'll practise everything we tin. Nosotros're winning games; we're having a lot of fun; and we'll just keep learning and growing and letting him know I need him."

Wilson, explaining Moore's decline in production, said the Jets but haven't been throwing as much -- only 39 attempts the past two games.

"It's not a matter where I'one thousand trying to avoid him or whatever it is, considering he's a great player," Wilson said. "I'chiliad just going through my progressions. We're ever talking about routes, how we can clean things up every week. Information technology's being patient and trusting the process. I only had 10 completions concluding calendar week, just we won the game, and so it's crawly. I beloved him, and I hope he understands he's special to our team."

The Jets (four-2), winners of three straight, are off to their best get-go since 2015. They're ranked 17th in full yards and tenth in scoring, dramatic improvements from concluding season.

Asked whether Moore is getting open, LaFleur hedged, saying, "A lot of factors go into that." Citing competitive reasons, he didn't want to provide details.

Moore'due south close friend, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, offered his take on the since-deleted tweet. With a photo of him and Moore, Dark-brown tweeted, "Ane of the strongest people I know. Tough times don't terminal, tough people do. Nosotros smile in the midst of adversity because nosotros know God is doing the fighting. Love ya and encounter yous presently."

Afterwards news of Moore's trade request became public, Brown tweeted "#FreeElijah."