After an inconsistent start to his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, wide receiver Skyy Moore thinks joining the San Francisco 49ers may be just what the doctor ordered.
Four years after his selection as second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Chiefs gave up on Moore earlier this week, trading him to the 49ers in exchange for a late-round pick swap in the 2027 draft. Moore (5-10, 195) caught 30 passes for 494 yards and one touchdown in his first two seasons with the Chiefs, including his first ever NFL touchdown in the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. But Moore also had issues with drops during his time with the Chiefs, and after missing much of 2024 with an injury along with more inconsistencies during the preseason, it became apparent there might not be a spot for him on this year's roster. The Chiefs decided to turn the page.
The 49ers were happy to take the chance on Moore, whom they were a fan of during his college days at Western Michigan.
"I was happy to get him," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the 49ers' 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night. "He was a guy that we liked in college coming out."
Moore made his debut with the 49ers against the Chargers despite just recently arriving in the Bay Area. His head was swimming a bit in his new offense, but it seems like he's already found being with the 49ers to be a much-needed change.
"I feel like I definitely needed a fresh start," said Moore, who caught three passes for 19 yards against the Chargers. "I found myself in my head a lot over in Kansas City, and that's never good. I feel like today, it was just like, 'Let it loose and go out and play' because I don't know anything anyway."
Putting on a 49ers helmet was also likely a relief for Moore, who seemed to know his days were numbered in Kansas City. Now that he's set with a new team, Moore can turn the page to the next chapter of his career.
"I feel like the writing was on the wall," Moore said. "At the same time, I feel like I needed a fresh start too. So it wasn't a bad thing to me. I feel like everybody wins in this situation."
Moore will help add depth to a depleted 49ers receiving corps early on while the team waits for Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf, contract dispute) to return to the field. Moore also appears set to help in the return game, where he had some highlights with the Chiefs, including a clutch punt return in the 2022 AFC Championship game that set up the game-winning kick in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He had one kick return and three punt returns against the Chargers on Saturday.
"I'm a team guy," Moore said. "I'm going to do whatever the team needs, whether it's special teams, whether it's getting two catches a game, whether they want me to play running back. I'm here for the team. I just want to carve my role out and be the best I can be."
Moore is moving from one winning franchise to another, and he hopes to play a part in getting the 49ers what they have fallen short of in recent years but he was able to earn in 2022 -- a Super Bowl ring.
"When I first walked in, it gave me a similar feeling to when I walked into Kansas City," Moore said. "It's another great program. They do a lot of great things just like Kansas City. It felt similar just walking into a locker room with a lot of established guys, a lot of established coaches. Hopefully we can go get that Super Bowl."
Moore also added Saturday that he's fitting in well in the locker room so far, with his new 49ers teammates and coaches doing what they can to help him make the move.
"The guys, what I've seen so far, is they've accepted me," Moore said. "All the veteran guys, all the coaches have helped me make that transition as smooth as possible."
Moore may need all the help he can get in understanding as much as he can of Shanahan's notoriously complex offense before the start of the season. He told reporters Saturday there are similarities to what he experienced under Andy Reid in Kansas City but that there's a lot of work to be done in the days ahead.
"In a lot a ways it is (similar), and in a lot of ways it's not," Moore said. "But I'm just going to continue to pound the details of Kyle's offense and keep building on today."
Moore hasn't had a chance yet to take in his surroundings, telling reporters he's "been on the whiteboards" instead of spending much time looking around town. But it's clear he's happy to be with the 49ers and is excited to find out what his future holds in the Bay Area, whatever that may entail.
"It's a fresh start, new city, new team," Moore said. "I feel like I get to learn again, put the fun back in the game. Not that I lost it, but just another adventure, I would say."
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