Skyy Moore thriving as a returner highlights a glaring Chiefs weakness

The Kansas City Chiefs are already having a tough time in the 2025 season, sitting with a 6-6 record and on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Their special teams have been a big reason for this team's rollercoaster of a season so far and things only get worse when you watch games around the league and see Skyy Moore of all players balling out.

Now it's worth noting that Moore isn't balling out as a wide receiver, which is what the Chiefs were hoping for when they drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Moore has seemingly found his footing as a return specialist with the San Francisco 49ers, who traded for him before the 2025 season began. This is something that Kansas City would have loved to have from him while he was in the red and gold.

On Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the former Chief had a big punt return of 66 yards to set the 49ers up in the red zone on their second drive of the game. Six plays later, the Niners took the lead and that was made easier by Moore's impressive return.

Skyy Moore’s 49ers success arrives as Chiefs special teams hit rock bottom

Look, it's 100% fair to say that the Chiefs needed to trade Moore. Doing so was the right move, as he was not the player they were hoping for and getting any picks at all for him was miraculous. It's also fair to say that the Chiefs could use Moore and his magical returns on special teams after how painfully bad that unit has been in 2025.

The Chiefs were hoping to get some sort of production out of Nikko Remigio on special teams and that has not worked out for them. Remigio has yet to have a return of 40 yards or more with his longest of the year going for 25 yards.

Special teams as a whole has been frustrating for the Chiefs with penalties, bad kicks by Harrison Butker, and just overall sloppiness but not having someone capable of breaking off a big return has been the icing on the cake. This unit needs a lot of help to get back to what it once was.

While Moore has been productive in San Francisco, this could simply be an example of a player needing a change of scenery and then thriving in that new scenery. Good for Moore for finding his niche with a team that needs him. It doesn't mean the Chiefs are wrong for trading him but it does certainly make the special teams struggles that much more painful. Both things can be true.