Could Dante Moore Be the Answer for the Jets? Oregon QB’s Draft Decision Now in Focus After OC Departure
The New York Jets may need a little help from the football gods if they’re hoping to land Oregon quarterback Dante Moore in the 2026 NFL Draft. But recent developments in Eugene could end up tipping the scales in their favor.
Moore, a redshirt sophomore with high-end tools and a growing résumé, has been seen as a possible returnee to the Ducks in 2026. That option just got a lot more complicated.
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein - the architect behind one of the most efficient college offenses in recent years - is on his way to Kentucky to take over as head coach. And his departure could be a game-changer for Moore’s decision-making process.
Let’s be clear: Stein has a track record. He helped shape Bo Nix into a first-round pick and made Dillon Gabriel look like a pro-ready passer.
For a developing quarterback like Moore, another year under Stein’s guidance would’ve made a lot of sense. But with Stein gone, Moore would be facing a brand-new system, a new playbook, and a deeper quarterback class in 2026 - all of which could hurt his draft stock more than help it.
That’s why Moore declaring for the draft now feels more plausible than it did just a few weeks ago. And for the Jets, that’s a storyline worth watching.
Moore’s college journey hasn’t been linear. He saw action as a true freshman at UCLA but struggled with the speed and complexity of the college game.
Transferring to Oregon and linking up with Stein was a pivotal move. Under Stein, Moore has made noticeable strides in pocket awareness, decision-making, and overall control of his game.
He still has that live arm that made him a five-star recruit, but now it’s paired with better discipline and a more refined approach.
If Stein helped polish Nix into a starter in Denver and Gabriel into a reliable backup option, Moore might be next in line - and possibly with a higher ceiling. He doesn’t have elite mobility, and his college experience is still limited, but the tools are there: a strong arm, sharp accuracy on intermediate routes, and the ability to stand tall and deliver under pressure. That’s the kind of profile that gets NFL scouts intrigued, especially for a team like the Jets that’s been searching for long-term stability under center.
Of course, the Jets would still need the draft order to fall their way. Moore isn’t guaranteed to be available when they’re on the clock, and there’s still the chance he decides to return to school despite the coaching change. But with Stein out of the picture, the odds of Moore making the leap to the NFL just got a little better.
And if he does declare? The Jets might finally have a shot at the kind of quarterback talent that can change a franchise’s trajectory.