Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason says team 'lucked out' with top QB prospect heading back to college

Dante Moore was connected way to beryllium the 2nd wide prime of this year’s NFL Draft, but helium decided to enactment successful college.

Moore changeable up the backmost imaginable database successful his archetypal afloat play with Oregon. He completed 71.2% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, propelling him into the speech alongside Fernando Mendoza, who besides skyrocketed with his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.

The New York Jets presently clasp the No. 2 prime and are erstwhile again hopeless to find the aboriginal of the franchise. But, 1 of their erstwhile quarterbacks, 1989 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, believes the Jets whitethorn person really dodged a bullet.

Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks gestures aft a touchdown during the 4th fourth of the crippled against the Washington Huskies astatine Husky Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2025 successful Seattle, Washington. The Oregon Ducks won 26-14. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

"I deliberation the Jets lucked out," Esiason told "The Dan Patrick Show" this week.

Esiason said helium urged Moore connected his New York vigor amusement to "stay successful school" due to the fact that helium "need[ed] much playing time." He has lone started 18 Division I games.

"I deliberation helium made the close decision. And I’m definite he’s going to get a bully paycheck from Oregon. But he’s making a $50 cardinal stake connected himself, which is truly rather amazing," Esiason added.

Oregon backmost Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the 2nd fractional of the Peach Bowl NCAA assemblage shot playoff semifinal successful Atlanta, Georgia, connected Jan. 9, 2026. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

Esiason besides highlighted the anticipation of Arch Manning successful 2027, portion the Jets could inactive person their changeable astatine Moore anyway.

"Maybe they volition beryllium successful a amended concern to draught 1 of those guys adjacent year, meaning that I don’t deliberation you privation to spell retired determination and effort to triumph six oregon 7 games," Esiason said. "Realistically, you look astatine it, if you privation 1 of those young quarterbacks that is going to alteration your franchise similar Jaxson Dart is doing present for the Giants, you’re going to person different atrocious twelvemonth adjacent twelvemonth to beryllium astatine the apical of that draught to beryllium capable to prime that guy."

Trinidad Chambliss and Ty Simpson fig to beryllium disposable for the Jets, who besides ain the 16th and 33rd picks successful the draft.

The Jets aren’t the lone squad affected, though. Dylan Raiola, a erstwhile five-star recruit, conscionable transferred to Oregon, but present the newcomer figures to backmost up Moore successful 2026.

Oregon backmost Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the 2nd fractional of the Peach Bowl NCAA assemblage shot playoff semifinal successful Atlanta, Georgia, connected Jan. 9, 2026. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

After the caller Jets brass chopped ties with Aaron Rodgers, who made the playoffs with the Pittsburgh Steelers, they started Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook this season.