The Kansas City Chiefs made headlines with a surprise Skyy Moore trade, just days after the wide receiver delivered a highlight-reel moment in the NFL preseason. Moore’s last Instagram post — made shortly after his 88-yard punt return touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, now reads like a final chapter in his Kansas City journey.
The timing of the move shocked fans and analysts alike. Moore just had one of his best moments in a Chiefs uniform during the team’s second straight preseason loss, a game where he flashed the explosiveness Kansas City hoped for when they drafted him in 2022. On Monday, he took to Instagram to share a message of perseverance following his performance.
“Keep Pushin 🕷️🫡”
By Wednesday evening, the Chiefs had traded Moore and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder — a move that underscored Kansas City’s focus on roster flexibility over sentimentality. The decision aligned with the franchise’s broader strategy to streamline the 53-man roster ahead of the NFL’s August 26 cutdown deadline.
Moore’s time in Kansas City was marked by inconsistency and unmet expectations. Drafted 54th overall in 2022, he managed just 43 catches for 494 yards and one touchdown across two seasons. A core muscle injury derailed his 2024 campaign before it began, and although his recent punt return touchdown offered a brief resurgence, it wasn’t enough to change his standing. With emerging talents like Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and rookie Jalen Royals reshaping the Chiefs’ receiver rotation, Moore slipped down the depth chart. On special teams, Nikko Remigio and Brashard Smith had proven more reliable, leaving little room for Moore in either role.
Despite the two-time Super Bowl champion’s standout performance in the 2025 preseason, NFL trades in August are rarely influenced by preseason flashes. Moore’s punt return touchdown was a highlight, but it wasn’t enough to secure his role in a crowded depth chart. While Rice has not been suspended, he is facing potential league discipline stemming from a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas, with a hearing scheduled for September 30. In the meantime, the Chiefs are doubling down on youth and speed. The move creates roster flexibility and helps streamline offensive planning ahead of Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Meanwhile, the 49ers wide receiver depth has been thinned by injuries, particularly with Brandon Aiyuk on the PUP list. In that context, Moore represents a low-cost, high-upside acquisition. San Francisco is hopeful that Moore’s skill set — especially his YAC ability and return experience — can flourish in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
The emotional element of Moore’s last IG post adds weight to the trade. It wasn’t just a personal triumph after seasons of frustration — it symbolized his belief that he could still contribute meaningfully in Kansas City. Two days later, he was gone.
