Dante Moore’s rough CFP performance threatens to derail the Jets’ QB plans

The eyes of both the New York Jets’ fan base and the organization were squarely on Friday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal between Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana Hoosiers and Dante Moore’s Oregon Ducks.

It was not only a battle between two of the best teams in college football, but also a head-to-head showcase featuring the two presumptive top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, a rare treat for scouts and front offices alike.

But while Indiana steamrolled their way to a National Championship Game and Mendoza solidified his status as the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, Moore's night wasn't as smooth.

The Oregon quarterback completed 24 of 40 passes for two touchdowns and one interception, but he also fumbled three times and was sacked four times — his second-highest total in a game this season behind Oregon’s regular-season matchup against Indiana.

Moore told reporters after the game that he remains undecided about his future as he weighs returning to school versus declaring for the NFL Draft. Jets fans have been hoping Moore enters the draft, but after Friday night’s performance, it’s fair to wonder whether his stock remains where it was.

Did Dante Moore's College Football Playoff letdown impact his Jets future?

This Jets regime does not have the luxury of patience when it comes to the quarterback position. While the organization technically holds three first-round picks in 2027, both Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey understand the reality of the situation.

If the Jets win three, four, or even five games next season, they are unlikely to be the ones making those selections. This team needs to win football games in 2026, and that means finding a real answer at quarterback now, not two years down the road.

Unfortunately for the Jets, this is not an ideal quarterback class to be picking near the top. Mendoza has looked polished and NFL-ready, but with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick, the assumption remains that he will not be available.

That leaves Moore as the potential alternative, assuming he declares. Even then, Friday night’s College Football Playoff performance complicates matters.

Moore struggled against Indiana’s outstanding defensive front, and it was not the first time down the stretch that he looked uncomfortable, coming off a similarly uneven showing against Texas Tech the week prior. When a quarterback’s toughest games come against the best defenses on the schedule, evaluators are going to take notice.

Some will insist that the Jets could simply trade down, accumulate more assets, and push the quarterback decision to 2027, or take a flier in the first or second round on someone like Trinidad Chambless out of Ole Miss or Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

The problem with that approach is that it would be a massive gamble for a regime that may only get one real swing at the position. Even veteran options like trading for Kyler Murray or signing Malik Willis come with significant risk. Murray is the most appealing of that group, and it’s easy to see why the Jets might explore that avenue, but none of those paths offer certainty.

The conversation becomes even more difficult if Moore’s Friday night performance ultimately nudges him toward returning to school. If Moore is not in this class, the value of the No. 2 overall pick drops considerably.

Even if the Jets are not fully sold on Moore at that spot, his presence alone would likely create a trade market, as multiple teams would be willing to move up for a 20-year-old quarterback with his upside. There is still a lot to like on Moore’s tape this season, and it’s important to acknowledge the context.

Indiana’s defense is chaotic, fast, and relentless. Moore looked young, overwhelmed at times, and prone to mistakes, but he is young. This was his first season as a full-time starter at Oregon, and seasoning was always going to be part of the evaluation.

None of this means Moore cannot become a good NFL quarterback. It simply reinforces that he is inexperienced and would likely benefit from sitting early in his career, regardless of where he lands.

One game should not define a prospect, but when it comes on the biggest stage and is one of the roughest outings of the season, it inevitably factors into the discussion.

Moore’s performance does not completely derail the Jets’ plans, but it does complicate them, especially if it influences his decision to return to Oregon. And as the Jets search for a quarterback of the future this offseason, added uncertainty is the last thing they needed.