The Skyy Moore hype train hits next station: Chiefs coach Andy Reid

2023-06-30 01:22

It could be a huge second season for Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore, who saved his best for the final game of the 2022 NFL campaign.Five weeks from today, the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will kick off the 2023 NFL preseason at Canton, OH. Things have been relatively quiet lately around t...

It could be a huge second season for Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore, who saved his best for the final game of the 2022 NFL campaign.

Five weeks from today, the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will kick off the 2023 NFL preseason at Canton, OH. Things have been relatively quiet lately around the league as teams have wrapped up their offseason workouts, minicamps and OTAs.

During the defending Super Bowl champions' recent minicamp, one of the club's second-year performers stood out a bit. In 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs used a second-round pick on Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore. He didn't exactly set the world on fire during his rookie season. But…

"Skyy was one of the higher-targeted receivers," explained head coach Andy Reid to Nate Taylor of The Athletic (via Nick Shook of NFL.com). "He had close to the most catches. I think he's taking a good jump. The quarterback trusts him. There's still a ton of room to climb. He's so willing, though."

Safe to say that Patrick Mahomes and the team are expecting more from Moore.

Chiefs: Skyy Moore facing big expectations from

Moore finished eighth on the team in 2022 with only 22 catches, good for just 250 yards. He ran three times for 24 yards. He touched the ball a combined seven times on punt and kickoff returns. Moore did not reach the end zone in 16 regular-season contests.

Then came the playoffs. The Chiefs defeated the Jaguars and Bengals on the way to Super Bowl LVII but still no touchdowns from the rookie wideout. Then it happened. During the team's come-from-behind win over the Eagles on Super Sunday, he caught a four-yard pass from Mahomes with 9:22 to play for his first-ever NFL touchdown. The ensuing PAT gave Kansas City a 35-27 lead on the way to their 38-35 triumph.

The Chiefs enter 2023 looking to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the 2003 and '04 Patriots. It won't be easy, but to pull it off Reid's team will need big years once again from Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and a defense that made some strides from 2021. They could also use a lot more production from Moore, who may be ready to blossom after a quiet debut.