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Andy Reid expects Skyy Moore to ‘step it up’ in 2023

Vendetta Sports Media / NFL / March 26, 2023

Skyy Moore Chiefs — (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

Andy Reid expects Skyy Moore to ‘step it up’ in 2023

The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have lost numerous players since the start of free agency. Specifically, on offense, names like Orlando Brown Jr., Mecole Hardman and Juju Smith-Schuster have joined new teams. Thus, major offensive roles will likely be filled by others — like Skyy Moore. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the team’s offensive departures plus the role that Moore is expected to have in 2023.

“We are expecting Skyy Moore to step it up,” Reid said to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. “We got the same guys coming back that we had, and we like that group with the exception of JuJu. Mecole was banged up a little bit so he didn’t have a chance to play as much as he would have wanted. We’ll work out the thing without JuJu. Somebody will have to step up and take that spot.”

Can Moore Play Well Consistently?

Skyy Moore recorded his first career touchdown in Super Bowl 57 against the Eagles, putting Kansas City ahead by eight in the second half. His rookie campaign amounted to just 22 receptions for 250 yards. The Chiefs filled the void of losing Tyreek Hill with Travis Kelce — who had arguably the best season of his career — Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, plus the midseason emergence of the seventh-round running back Isaiah Pacheco amid Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Week 11 ankle injury.

The Chiefs lost Smith-Schuster in free agency to the New England Patriots earlier this offseason. Kansas City will look less for explosive plays, and more for general consistency from Moore in 2023. Filling the role of a starting receiver is a big leap from being a part-time utility player.

Skyy Moore displayed the potential to succeed on the Chiefs last season, and whether or not he can do so consistently will be the question for Andy Reid and the Kansas City offense in 2023.