Oregon QB Dante Moore Shuts Down Major Narrative After Spurning NFL

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore certainly surprised a whole lot of people when he decided to return to school for another season, passing on the opportunity to be the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Some speculated that the reason Moore elected to forego the draft was to avoid the New York Jets, while others said that he was content with returning because of his NIL deal with Oregon.

Moore shut down the latter during a recent interview with On 3, noting how ridiculous it would be for him to return to Eugene for money when he could have made a whole lot more cash as a top draft choice.

“No, [NIL] wasn’t a factor at all,” Moore said. “I mean, you have $55 million guaranteed in the NFL as the second pick overall. Money doesn’t play a factor with me. I mean, if it was money, I would’ve been in the NFL by now. More of it was just getting my talent as best as possible.”

So it wasn't money. That much seems obvious. Moore would have been set for life and then some had he decided to make the jump to the pros.

Was it the Jets then? Moore didn't speak about it at all, instead stating that he simply felt he needed more seasoning.

“It was a tough decision to make,” Moore added. “A lot of prayer and thought into it. Reached out to many people, just to hear their thoughts. But just felt like, at the end of the day, I just felt like I could prepare myself way more until I take that next step into the NFL. Of course, that’s the highest level of football to play."

Moore definitely has some unfinished business to take care of at Oregon after he and the Ducks were hammered by Indiana in the Peach Bowl last month, so perhaps the 20-year-old also wants the chance to compete for a national championship again.

Oregon will boast a loaded roster heading into 2026, as Moore is far from the only key returning player. There is no question the Ducks should have a great chance to win the national next season.

Moore threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 71.8 percent of his passes this past year.

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