San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch discussed the team’s recent acquisition of receiver Skyy Moore, following a series of injuries that impacted the 49ers’ wide receiver group. Moore, who is 24 years old and was selected as a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, was traded to San Francisco from the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week.
Lynch spoke about Moore’s potential and what attracted the organization to him. “I think the bottom line is, Skyy’s a talented guy who probably, a change in environment was needed,” Lynch said. “And we get a chance to do it this early. What I like about it is it gives us an opportunity to evaluate him here before the season. Very talented young man who was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft. Probably has fallen short of the expectations they had for him, but he brings a lot of value in terms of, he’s a dual-returner, meaning he can do punt and kickoff return. With Jacob Cowing out, that became valuable and important to us. We really believe there’s a lot of talent and sometimes, talent, in spot, expectations of being a second-round pick and not living up to it, the scrutiny, sometimes a change of scenery is a needed thing.”
The trade came together after discussions between Lynch and Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. Lynch credited his pro personnel staff for identifying available players across other teams and facilitating initial contact with Kansas City. “I always like giving recognition and a shoutout to the guys in our pro department,” Lynch said. “That’s what they do. That’s their job to know the entire league and to look at other teams, to have discussions with their counterparts at other teams and say, ‘Hey, who might be available? Are you guys thinking of doing anything?’ And those type of things and then it leads to a conversation. Brett Veach and I have a great relationship and I probably talked [to him] for the first time a couple days ago, start talking about this and came to fruition yesterday.”
The timing could see Moore on the field for San Francisco as soon as its preseason finale against Los Angeles Chargers if all medical evaluations are satisfactory. Regarding Moore’s availability for that game Lynch explained: “Provided that physical goes well (…) He gets out here. I always appreciate the way our coaches go to work with these guys and the kind of crash course. You give them enough stuff that they know and they can go run a package of plays. And then as a returner, ‘Hey, just go catch the ball and do your thing.’ Go right or go middle, that’s pretty easy. Yes, there’s nuance to it, but a lot easier on special teams (…) The good thing with Skyy is that he’s been in camp. He just played last week. Had a fantastic [punt] return for a touchdown against the Seahawks, so it’s not like he’s not in shape. He’s ready and we’ll make sure he’s right. We’ll get him in a good place and we’ll make that decision.”
Moore joins San Francisco at a time when receivers Jacob Cowing (hamstring), Brandon Aiyuk (ACL), Jauan Jennings (calf), Jordan Watkins (high-ankle sprain), Russell Gage (MCL) and DeMarcus Robinson (suspension) are sidelined due to various injuries or suspensions.
If cleared by medical staff after his physical examination, Moore may take part in San Francisco’s upcoming preseason game.
