Boomer Esiason says Jets ‘lucked out’ with Dante Moore returning to college

Dante Moore was on track to be the second overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft but decided to stay in college.

Moore has moved up the list of quarterback prospects in his first season at Oregon. He completed 71.2% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, which put him in the conversation alongside Fernando Mendoza, who soared with his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.

The New York Jets currently sit in No. 2 and are once again desperate to find the future of the franchise. But one of his former quarterbacks, 1989 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, believes the Jets may have actually dodged a bullet.

“I think the Jets got lucky,” Esiason told “The Dan Patrick Show” this week.

Esiason said on his New York radio show that he pressured Moore to “stay in school” because “he needed to.”[ed] more playing time.” He started only 18 Division I games.

“I think he made the right decision. And I’m sure he’ll get a nice paycheck from Oregon. But he’s making a $50 million bet on himself, which is actually pretty surprising,” Esiason added.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal on January 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

Esiason also highlighted the possibility of Arch Manning arriving in 2027, while the Jets still have a chance to land Moore.

“Maybe next year they’ll be in a better position to draft one of these guys, which I don’t think you want to go out there and try to win six or seven games,” Esiason said. “Realistically, if you want one of those young quarterbacks to change your team like Jaxson Dart did here for the Giants, you’re going to have another bad year to be at the top of the draft to be able to select this guy next year.”

Trinidad Chambliss and Ty Simpson will also be on the Jets, having been selected with the 16th and 33rd picks in the draft.

But the Jets aren’t the only team affected. Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit, just transferred to Oregon, but now the newcomer will back up Moore in 2026.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal on January 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

The new Jets team started Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook this season after cutting ties with Aaron Rodgers, who made the playoffs with the Pittsburgh Steelers.