The New York Jets have received some tough news heading into the NFL Draft.
The New York Jets just completed another dreadful season, finishing just 3-14 in Aaron Glenn's debut campaign. But on the bright side, they landed the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Jets should finally be able to get their quarterback here. Assuming Oregon's Dante Moore declares, he appears to be New York bound. And that's with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza seeming likely to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.
But is it possible that Moore could do whatever he can to evade the Jets?
ESPN's Todd McShay thinks so, questioning whether or not the 20-year-old could potentially return to school for another year just to avoid be selected by New York.
McShay then went as far to say that no player in this draft class wants to play for the Jets.
When the Raiders are viewed as a superior destination, you know things are going very, very wrong.
New York has definitely been one of the worst franchises in sports for years running. The Jets have missed the playoffs 15 years in a row and haven't posted a winning campaign in a decade. They also seem to have worse luck with quarterbacks than any other organization.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore. Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.So perhaps Moore does have reason to stiff arm Gang Green?
Of course, the chances of Moore actually heading back to Oregon just to try and miss New York are very slim. The Detroit product would be taking a massive risk in that scenario.
But the fact that this is even a discussion speaks volumes to how the Jets are viewed.
Luckily for Glenn and Co., rookies do not really have a choice in the matter. Yes, a top pick like Moore could force his way elsewhere, and if that happens, then so be it. But you're not going to see players in Rounds 2 through 7 declining to play for any team.
As for Moore or any other signal-caller? You can understand the trepidation, especially after watching Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson and the billion and one other quarterbacks who have failed in the Big Apple.
But Moore would also have the chance to turn the entire franchise around, and that could be enticing to him.
Moore actually began his collegiate career at UCLA in 2023 before transferring to Oregon in 2024. He sat behind Dillon Gabriel during his first season before taking the reins under center this year, where he has thrown for 3,280 yards, 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions.