Depending on which Jets fan you ask, either today's announcement by Oregon quarterback Dante Moore to return to Eugene for the 2026 season will be met with anger or a huge sigh of relief.
Moore, who was considered by many to be the second best quarterback entering the 2026 NFL draft behind Fernando Mendoza, decided to return to school for his junior year. He will not enter the draft, and all the talk about the Jets "ruining" another first round quarterback can go to rest at least for now.
Thank goodness.
No doubt Moore is a talented thrower of the football. But his performances in the last two playoff games for Oregon were not good. He looked overmatched against Texas Tech, despite Oregon winning 23-0. Then against Indiana in the semifinals, Moore was a total disaster. He threw a pick-six on his first pass of the game, and later fumbled the ball deep in Oregon's own territory. The Ducks lost 56-22.
His performance was so bad that Jets fans were clamoring for the team not to draft him should he declare. Others were pleading for Moore to stay in school to avoid the Jets.
Whatever Moore's personal impetus was to make this decision, it was the right one for all involved.
Moore gets a chance to keep developing under a head coach and program he knows well. And maybe he lands in a better situation in 2027 (even if it is not with a team that's drafting in the top 5 of the draft).
For the Jets, they get to focus, and relax. There is no pressure now to draft a quarterback second overall just because. The Jets can sign a veteran or two for the quarterback position. Marcus Mariota, Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis (despite only starting six games), are just a few names out there. They could swing a deal for Kyler Murray of the Cardinals.
There are options on the table.
Then with the draft capital they have the Jets can load up on talent on both sides of the ball. They need an edge rusher, cornerbacks, safeties, help at linebacker, help at both guard spots on the offensive line, running back, and wide receiver.
They need just about everything. It's better to fix all the leaks and make sure everything works first before getting the so-called franchise quarterback via the draft.
So for the tank truthers out there, I guess onto 2027? For the rest of us, let the 2026 off-season commence.

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