Former Jets draft bust has allegedly found his 'happy place' with division rival

Former New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore seems to think he’s finally found his "happy place" — in Buffalo, of all places. Now with his third AFC team in four years, the ex-Jets second-round pick is drawing early buzz at Bills minicamp.

Alex Brasky of Bills Digest reported on Wednesday that Moore “may have found his happy place” in Buffalo, noting that the 25-year-old wide receiver has been a top target for seemingly every quarterback on the roster this spring. He’s supposedly been one of the most talked-about players at his team's minicamp.

That’s all well and good for the Bills, but from a Jets perspective, it’s hard not to roll your eyes. This is the same player who demanded a trade in the middle of a four-game winning streak, clashed with coaches, and was ultimately shipped out of town after an underwhelming two-year stint that fell well short of expectations.

Now he’s supposedly finally found a team that can maximize his potential. Where have we heard this before?

Bills fans are already falling for the Elijah Moore hype

Moore’s time in New York was short-lived but memorable. Despite flashing early potential as a rookie, he never quite put it all together, and his relationship with the coaching staff deteriorated fast.

His infamous trade request came in the middle of a four-game winning streak in 2022, during a season when the Jets still had playoff aspirations. That decision, paired with his apparent frustrations over Garrett Wilson’s rise and a well-documented spat with then-offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, ultimately sealed his fate.

Moore was ultimately benched, returned in a limited role, and then shipped off to Cleveland the following offseason. While he stayed mostly out of the headlines with the Browns, his production never justified the hype.

Moore posted 59 catches for 640 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and followed that up with 61 catches for 538 yards and a score in 2024. He remained a fine receiver but far from a difference-maker, which is why Cleveland allowed him to walk after two seasons.

Now in Buffalo, Moore finds himself battling for snaps in a crowded receiver room that includes Khalil Shakir, 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, and Laviska Shenault.

Moore’s been a standout in spring practices, and early reports suggest he’s developing chemistry with multiple quarterbacks. That said, Bills fans would be wise not to get too far ahead of themselves. Jets fans have seen this show before.

The former Ole Miss star certainly has the ability to carve out a role and contribute in Buffalo, but if the past few years are any indication, the question isn’t whether he can flash talent. It’s whether he can stick.

And if the Bills do end up riding the Elijah Moore rollercoaster this season, Jets fans will be watching with a familiar mix of amusement and deja vu.

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