One of the projected top quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft will be returning to school for one more season. The quarterback class just got thinner, adding another top QB to a potential loaded 2027 class of quarterbacks set to enter the NFL.
2026 NFL Draft Receives Major Shakeup From Dante Moore
Oregon QB Dante Moore is returning to school for one more year and the chance to win a national championship. The quarterback class had a clear top-two: Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Moore.
Now, Moore isn’t entering the draft, leaving teams who need a quarterback in some real trouble.
“Awesome (and smart) of Dante Moore to come back to Oregon. That QB draft class is now … yikes,” said Stewart Mandel of The Athletic.
Awesome (and smart) of Dante Moore to come back to Oregon.
That QB draft class is now … yikes.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 14, 2026
The New York Jets are the biggest loser from this decision. The Las Vegas Raiders will be running to the podium to select Mendoza (barring a ridiculous trade), leaving the Jets with no quarterback to take in the first round. They’ve been searching for answers at quarterback for many years and remain without a clear path to a top quarterback.
Moore’s likely destination was New York. As one analyst points out, he dodged this fate for this year at least.
“Alternate headline: Oregon QB Dante Moore avoids becoming a New York Jet… for at least one more year,” said an analyst.
Alternate headline: Oregon QB Dante Moore avoids becoming a New York Jet… for at least one more year. https://t.co/dpsopAqFNU
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) January 14, 2026
Even though the Jets likely won’t be drafting a quarterback at No. 2, other teams will be very disappointed by this decision as well. It opens the draft to a bunch of possibilities, and teams that need quarterbacks will be further grasping at straws to find potential answers.
“With Dante Moore returning to Oregon for the 2026 season, this is REALLY not the year to draft a quarterback,” said another analyst.
With Dante Moore returning to Oregon for the 2026 season, this is REALLY not the year to draft a quarterback.
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) January 14, 2026
Teams that need answers at quarterback are going to have to figure out alternatives. If Trinidad Chambliss can find his way back to school, this class becomes really weak at quarterback. Free agent quarterbacks will be loving this decision by Moore because with less talent in the draft, more teams will be looking at free agents to fill that hole. With more competition comes higher bidding and more money for these quarterbacks.
Moore won’t be headed to the NFL and forfeited his chance at being the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Moore just altered the course of many teams’ offseason plans by heading back to school. It’s going to get wild at the 2026 NFL Draft and potentially in free agency with the state of the quarterbacks in the NFL.
