The New York Jets shook up their wide receiver room on Wednesday (March 22), signing former Chief Mecole Hardman and trading Elijah Moore to the Browns.
First, the team signed Hardman to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million, according to multiple reports. The 25-year-old wideout only played in eight games last season due to an abdominal injury, notably missing the AFC Divisional game and Super Bowl LVII. He will undergo surgery in the offseason to fix the issue.
After signing Hardman, the Jets shipped Moore off to Cleveland for the 42nd overall pick in this year’s draft, giving them back-to-back picks at Nos. 42 and 43. New York is also sending the 74th overall pick along with Moore.
Jets trading WR Elijah Moore to Browns. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/6Agmz58nXz
— NFL (@NFL) March 22, 2023
The 34th overall pick by the Jets in 2021, Moore had 37 catches for 446 yards and a touchdown last year, a drop-off from the five touchdowns he caught during his rookie season. He requested a trade from the Jets back in October, citing frustrations with his role on the team and his lack of targets.
Those targets may have only gotten worse if he stayed, as the Jets acquired Allen Lazard on March 14 and have a young core that includes Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson. That’s not even mentioning Hardman or young running back Breece Hall.
The move makes sense for the Browns, who will bring back receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones but desperately needed to add some more firepower on offense. They owe the 22-year-old Moore just over $3 million the next two years, a relatively low price for a potential young playmaker.
The Jets acquire Hardman, a two-time Super Bowl winner, after a four-year career with the Chiefs that saw him catch 151 passes for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 56th overall pick in 2019, Hardman was selected to the Pro Bowl his rookie year and is also a capable kick returner.
Way “MORE” than jet sweeps ! https://t.co/EumQu17X6t
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) March 22, 2023
The addition of Hardman along with the aforementioned receivers seems to indicate the Jets will make a run at acquiring Aaron Rodgers, who said he wanted to play for New York during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week. According to reports, the Packers are willing to trade Rodgers, but there are still things to work out and negotiations are ongoing.
The Jets have also expressed interest in acquiring wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., according to SNY’s Connor Hughes. Beckham has not played in an NFL game since 2021 when he tore his ACL during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win, but his name has been linked to multiple teams regarding potentially returning to the league. Per Hughes, Rodgers and Beckham are close and have discussed playing together in New York.
What do you think of these moves from the Jets? Let us know by leaving a reaction at the bottom of this post or by tweeting us @celebsecrets.
