Dante Moore is heading back to Oregon for the 2026 season, and while there are plenty of reasons why that decision makes sense, one detail stands out: the New York Jets.
Had both Moore and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, Moore was widely projected to land with the Jets at No. 2 overall. But instead of making the leap, Moore chose to stay in Eugene-and according to those close to the situation, the idea of landing in New York may have played a role in that call.
On the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast, Hondo Carpenter hinted that Moore’s draft calculus wasn’t just about development or team success-it was also about avoiding a situation that’s been historically tough on quarterbacks.
“I think there were a lot of things that went into his consideration,” Carpenter said. “I don’t think he would have minded being a Raider… but I fundamentally believe, talking to people close to the situation, that the thought of being a Jet was a great concern.”
That’s not hard to believe. The Jets have earned a reputation over the years as a quarterback graveyard.
From draft picks who never panned out to veterans who couldn’t revive their careers, the list is long. Sam Darnold and Geno Smith both struggled in New York before finding varying degrees of success elsewhere.
Even Aaron Rodgers couldn’t escape the Jets’ misfortune-his stint ended with a playoff run in Pittsburgh, not New York.
So if Moore saw the writing on the wall and decided to bet on himself for one more year in college, it’s hard to blame him. The NFL is as much about fit as it is about talent.
Quarterbacks need structure, support, and stability to thrive. The Jets haven’t consistently provided any of that.
That said, this wasn’t a decision made in a vacuum. Moore returns to a loaded Oregon team with national title aspirations and a strong NIL setup that makes staying in school more financially viable than ever.
He’s also still refining his game. We saw flashes of brilliance from him in the Peach Bowl against Indiana, but also moments that showed he could benefit from another year of seasoning.
There’s risk, of course. Moore’s draft stock was high-possibly never higher-and the 2027 quarterback class could be even deeper.
Another season brings the usual uncertainties: injuries, performance dips, shifting draft boards. But for Moore, the upside of continuing to grow in a familiar system, with a talented roster and strong coaching staff, clearly outweighed the gamble of landing somewhere like New York.
And for the Jets? Well, they might’ve just dodged another quarterback swing-and-miss-or passed on a future star. Given their track record, it’s tough to say which is more likely.