Mike LaFleur denies heated exchange with Elijah Moore
New York Jets Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey on Aug. 1, 2022 Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Mike LaFleur denied having a heated exchange with Elijah Moore last week that led to the disgruntled receiver being sent home from practice and deactivated for last Sunday’s game.
LaFleur said they’re on the same page and he’s glad Moore is back with the Jets.
“I heard that there was some sort of blow-up, which is 100% inaccurate,” the offensive coordinator said Thursday. “It was nothing. There was a conversation, but other than that, I’m not going to get into the conversation. We’re going to keep that in-house, like we should. There was 100% no blow-up.”
Moore requested a trade from the Jets hours after the “conversation,” which stemmed from his lack of involvement in the offense. He wasn’t targeted in the Jets’ win in Green Bay two Sundays ago.
Robert Saleh said it reached “a boiling point” last Thursday. After Moore “showed displeasure,” Saleh told the talented second-year player to go home and “calm down.”
Moore was held out of practice Friday and didn’t travel with the Jets for last Sunday’s game in Denver. He returned to practice on Wednesday. Saleh talked with Moore for a while during the stretching period. Moore and LaFleur slapped hands and hugged.
“It’s good to have him back in the building,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s happy to be back and ready to go. I’m excited to have him back.”
Moore will play Sunday against the Patriots and should see some targets. The Jets lost running back Breece Hall for the season in Denver because of a torn ACL and wide receiver Corey Davis hasn’t practiced this week because of a knee injury.
“We’re all on the same page,” LaFleur said. “We’re all trying to move forward. We got a tough opponent in New England. I know that’s where his focus is in getting himself prepared for Sunday. That’s where my focus is for this offense.”
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson called Moore “a special player” and “a key player for us” and said he is excited that he’s back. Wilson said he’s tried to show Moore support and help him any way he needs it.
“Just letting him know I got his back no matter what,” Wilson said. “We’re all going through this thing together. I hope he knows I’m always there to stand by him.
“It’s a tough time. I get it. Really the biggest thing is I hope he knows that I’m there off the field, not just an on-the-field thing, but I’m there for him off the field if he needs anything.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
