Dec 7, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis on the field prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Why the NFL Offseason Now Runs Through Las Vegas

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Michael Canelo | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 8:01 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. That is the pick that controls the start of the draft. But now the first team picking holds even more power with that pick because of one decision that one top draft prospect made today.

University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore made the announcement today that he will be returning to Oregon for one more season with the Ducks.

That sent shock waves around the college and NFL world. Many thought that Moore was going to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft because he was viewed by many as the first overall pick by the Raiders. We were likely going to go in the top five of the draft if the Raiders did not select him at No. 1.

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Raiders now control the 2026 NFL Draft more than ever

That has all changed now. Moore wants to return to Oregon and make sure he shapes up his game better before he goes to the NFL. That is something that many suggested he do, and now he has confirmed it. The Raiders will now hold all the power with the first overall pick because, going into the draft, there were only two quarterbacks seen as first-round picks. Moore was one of them, and Fernando Mendoza, out of Indiana University, was the other.

Our Hondo Carpenter has been reporting for multiple weeks now that Moore was going to return to Oregon.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

"I have been reporting FOR WEEKS that a source in Detroit, Oregon, and NFL expected Oregon QB Dante Moore to RETUTN to Oregon. It is now confirmed. Not a shock, BUT now makes the Raiders No. 1 overall exponentially more valuable," said Hondo Carpenter on X/Twitter.

If teams want to offer the Raiders any trade packages for their No. 1 pick, it will now cost more, and teams will have to give up more to the Raiders.

Now with only one quarterback at the top of draft boards, that leaves teams wondering if they could make a trade possible. The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill, and a trade could get them back a huge haul that would change the landscape of their draft, not just this year but for the next draft as well.

The Raiders' offseason plans and decisions will be led by general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Even if the Raiders do not want to trade the pick, they will certainly listen to offers.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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