Why one-time MVP thinks Jets 'lucked out' with Dante Moore draft decision

The New York Jets currently hold the second overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft and are in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback. 

Oregon's Dante Moore could have been the answer to the Jets' prayers, but he announced this week that he is returning to the Ducks instead of entering the upcoming draft. During Thursday's edition of "The Dan Patrick Show," former Jets quarterback and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Award winner Boomer Esiason was asked about Gang Green missing out on the chance to draft Moore this spring. 

Dante Moore made "$50M bet on himself" by not entering the draft

"I think the Jets lucked out," Esiason said, per Matt Clapp of Awful Announcing. "And I think Dante Moore is making a $50M bet that would be hard for me to do that, but I had advised him on our (WFAN) show here in New York, 'Please stay in school. You need more playing time.' And I think he made the right decision. And I’m sure he’s going to get a nice paycheck from Oregon. But he’s making a $50M bet on himself, which is really quite amazing."

Esiason was referencing how ESPN's Pete Thamel and others noted that Moore would have signed a contract worth nearly $50M in guaranteed money had he entered the draft and been chosen as the No. 2 overall pick. Some previously thought the Las Vegas Raiders could consider taking Moore with the first overall selection, but that was before he endured a nightmare outing during Oregon's 56-22 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan. 9. 

Specifically, Moore had an interception returned for a touchdown on the game's first play from scrimmage. He also lost two fumbles in front of a worldwide audience. 

Jets could find a franchise quarterback in 2027

"Remember, next year’s quarterback class could include Arch Manning, and it will include Dante Moore and a few other guys, so maybe they will be in a better situation to draft one of those guys next year, meaning that I don’t think you want to go out there and try to win six or seven games," Esiason added about the Jets. "Realistically, you look at it, if you want one of those young quarterbacks that is going to change your franchise like Jaxson Dart is doing here for the Giants, you’re going to have another bad year next year to be at the top of that draft to be able to select that guy."

Of course, neither Jets head coach Aaron Glenn nor general manager Darren Mougey will openly embrace the club "tanking" the 2026 season with the 2027 draft in mind. That said, the Giants acquired Dart with the 25th pick of the 2025 player selection process, and they seem quite happy with him at this early stage of his development.