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It didn’t take long for Buffalo Bills newly-signed wide receiver Elijah Moore to get on the same page as quarterback Josh Allen.
Moore was able to make a splash on day one of Bills OTAs this week. The 25-year-old impressed and made a number of big plays, according to multiple reporters who viewed the practice.
Along with WGR’s Sal Capaccio reporting that Allen and Moore hooked up for numerous big gains, NYup.com’s Matt Parrino said that Moore looked like a natural fit with the Bills.
“On Tuesday, Moore looked like he’s been in the Bills offense for years,” Parrino said in his observations from OTAs. “He was flying around on the field, showing off his signature speed and footwork. The highlight play came in 11-on-11 drills when he beat veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White on a Josh Allen touchdown. Moore had a couple of impressive plays throughout the day.”
After playing in unstable offenses with the Jets and the Browns, who had a revolving door of quarterbacks and play callers, Moore was excited to play with Allen and the Bills. And on day one it showed, even if there are no pads yet.
“To have an opportunity to be with Josh… the MVP… a guy that I’ve been playing against for four years… being on the other side… I’m glad I’m on this side,” Moore said after the first session at OTAs. “I caught a pass from him today and I couldn’t do nothing but just smile. The way that it felt… the way that it just seemingly hit me in the chest… I’m just grateful to be in this position and I’m excited for what’s next.”
A highly-regarded prospect going into the 2021 draft, Moore hasn’t exploded in the NFL like many thought he would after being an early second-round pick by the New York Jets. Through four years, his career-highs in a season are 61 catches (last year) and 640 receiving yards (2023). While he hasn’t been in great offensive situations, that narrative is seemingly flipped on its head.
He now joins the reigning MVP in Josh Allen and an offense that ranked second in the league in points per game in 2024 (30.9), trailing only the Detroit Lions.
Even with an improved situation, it will still be a challenge for Moore to have a career year given the amount of pass catchers that the Bills spread the ball around to. Last year they tied an NFL record with 13 different players recording a receiving touchdown.
Having too many people to get the ball to is a great problem for Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Moore may not see the 100 targets that he received in each of the last two seasons, but he adds another option for Allen in the passing game, and he is still young (going into year five) and has a chip on his shoulder.
While the regular season is still months away and roles on the offense are still being sorted, it should be noted that Moore saw some time playing with the first-team offense on day one and he got off to a great start.
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