Expectations are bound to be sky-high for any receiver in an offense quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes, and some Kansas City Chiefs fans were irked when 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore didn’t explode as a rookie last season.
Perhaps it was the typical Andy Reid tendency to de-emphasize contributions from rookies. It could have been the jump in competition from playing in the MAC collegiately to the fiercely competitive NFL. It could have been a lack of opportunities behind veterans such as Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Moore seemed to take some time to adapt to life in the Chiefs’ offense.
Reid spoke on the receiver’s progression after practice at OTAs this week. He appeared bullish on the progress that Moore is making heading into his second season in Kansas City. After adding some bulk and attending Mahomes’ throwing sessions in the offseason, Moore is primed to take a step forward judging from his coach’s comments to the media.
“I like what I see,” Reid said of his impression of Moore at the Chiefs’ offseason program. “He’s getting strong (and) you can tell that he’s worked this offseason. He was down there with Pat (Mahomes) the whole time and never missed a day with him, so he’s done a good job. (He has a) better understanding.”
In an offense that is as utterly complex as Reid’s, it isn’t a stretch to say that experience matters, especially on a team that is competing for a Super Bowl every year. Though Moore may have been at a disadvantage as a rookie after playing at Central Michigan, he made strides to become a key playmaker for the Chiefs in the postseason and seemed on the verge of something special after hauling in a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in February.
If Reid’s assessment of his development is to be believed, Moore could be on track to have a breakout season in 2023. He could even become the star that many predicted he could be after his selection by Kansas City last year.
