Dante Moore stays at Oregon, thus altering the NFL Draft and Jets' QB options

The Jets suffered another loss on Wednesday.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore announced that he is returning to college and will not enter the 2026 NFL Draft. This was a big hit to the Jets’ potential plans. Moore would certainly have been under consideration for the quarterback-needy Jets with the No. 2 pick.

Moore, 20, said his decision "was very tough” and that he “prayed a lot” and “talked to many people” before making his choice.

“Since [I was] a 4-year old, I dreamed about playing the NFL,” Moore said on ESPN. “I feel like I could have been excited going into there and wherever I got drafted being blessed to be where I am. But I kind of feel like coming back is the best thing for me to make sure that when that day does happen, I'm fully prepared and I’m able to go and play my best ball.”

Moore was considered the No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders pick first overall and likely will draft Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner.

The Jets also have the 16th pick in the first round and the first choice of the second, No. 33. They could trade down and collect more draft picks and select a quarterback later after this development.

Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss — if he is forced to leave college — or Miami’s Carson Beck could be other quarterback options for the Jets. Chambliss wants to return to school, but the NCAA denied his request for a sixth year of eligibility. That matter is now headed to court.

Moore is coming off a rough performance against Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Moore threw a pick-6 on Oregon’s first offensive play and fumbled twice in the 56-22 defeat. He finished 24-for-39 passing for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

A transfer from UCLA, this was Moore’s first season as a full-time starter. Overall, he threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and led the Ducks to a 13-2 record.

Whichever quarterback the Jets draft probably won’t be the immediate answer. They need to provide the young signal-caller with a good quarterback room and the proper coaching to develop him.

Coach Aaron Glenn said that would be a priority after the Jets went 3-14 and finished last in the NFL in passing yards and 31st in touchdowns thrown.

“We're going to exhaust everything that we can to make sure that we surround our quarterbacks now, and if we get any quarterbacks in the future, with the guys that's going to help them,” Glenn said last season. “That's a whole part of making sure that we evaluate everything that's going on. Making sure we have the right people here that can help the quarterback.”

Changes are expected on Glenn’s staff. Quarterbacks coach Charles London is the most likely on the offensive side of the ball to be let go.

The quarterback room will look much different regardless. The Jets have three quarterbacks under contract: Justin Fields, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe. Only Fields’ deal is guaranteed, for $10 million. Fields had a terrible first season with the Jets and in all likelihood will be released.

The Jets could find their next quarterback in free agency. Some possible targets include Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins, Mitch Trubisky, Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garappolo. They also could try to trade for a veteran such as Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, Davis Mills or Jacoby Brissett.

General manager Darren Mougey said the Jets will “exhaust every option” to fix their quarterback situation.

“Free agency, [trades], the draft,” Mougey said. "We will exhaust that and have a good solution for the New York Jets."

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.