For years, the Jets have been on a relentless quest to secure a reliable franchise quarterback.
After the Peach Bowl showdown between Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, the team finds itself in a precarious situation.
Moore’s opening play resulted in a costly pick-six, setting the tone for the game. Indiana overpowered Oregon with a decisive 56-22 victory in the College Football Playoff semifinal, leaving little room for doubt about the outcome.
Mendoza, at 22 and fresh off a Heisman Trophy win in 2025, showcased why he is projected to be the top pick in the upcoming draft with a commanding performance against Oregon, tallying 177 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Moore threw for 285 yards, completing 24 of 39 passes and scoring two touchdowns, but his three critical turnovers overshadowed his efforts.
As the draft looms just three months away, the Jets are faced with a significant dilemma. The Raiders hold the first pick and are likely to choose Mendoza.
Should Las Vegas opt for Mendoza, the Jets will be left to decide between selecting Moore or choosing the best available player, provided Moore enters the draft.
“I’m going to soak this moment up and, most importantly, give my hugs and thank yous to my teammates,” Moore said after Friday’s game. “But at the end of the day, I don’t know my decision yet. I’m going to talk to Coach Lanning and talk to my family and everybody, but at the end of the day, I don’t want to think about that right now.”
The Jets haven’t truly had a franchise quarterback since the days of Joe Namath. They have, of course, tried to find long-term solutions at quarterback after drafting Ken O’Brien, Chad Pennington, Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson. But for a variety of reasons, those players never fulfilled their potential, at least not with the Jets.
In 2023, the Jets even acquired Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Packers, hoping he could bring a second Super Bowl to the organization. But after an Achilles tear and a 5-12 record in 2024, Jets coach Aaron Glenn released Rodgers last offseason.
The Jets could still draft Moore, who arguably has the highest ceiling of any quarterback who might declare for the draft. But he comes with legitimate concerns about his play.
Moore, 20, started only 20 games in college between his time at UCLA and his 15 starts for Oregon this season. He threw for 3,563 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Ducks after leading them to the national semifinals.
Although he has limited experience, Moore has everything teams could want in a quarterback. He has exceptional accuracy and an excellent passing touch. Moore can also scramble while also using his legs to allow his receivers to get open downfield.
At 6-3, 206 pounds, Moore needs to add more weight and muscle to survive the rigors of the NFL game. But Moore has all the tools to become a successful quarterback in the league eventually.
However, two of Moore’s worst games came in the losses to Indiana, which has a talented, complex defense that feasts on turnovers. The Hooisers’ scheme is very similar to the defenses he will see on the NFL level.
Moore also struggled against Texas Tech’s defense in the Orange Bowl, which finished third in the nation in yards and third in points allowed. He threw for 234 yards and an interception in the 23-0 victory against the Red Raiders.
So if the Raiders draft Mendoza, what should the Jets do at No. 2? General manager Darren Mougey could give the Raiders a godfather offer they can’t refuse after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams and acquiring three additional first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
The Jets could remain at No. 2 overall and draft the best available player. They have several needs on both sides of the ball, and players like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs would all make an impact on a defense that was 31st in points allowed.
The free-agent market isn’t great for quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins, Jacoby Brissett, and Marcus Mariota among the notable players available. If Gang Green were to draft Moore, they would likely need to sign a bridge quarterback given his age and limited experience. The Cardinals are also expected to trade Kyler Murray this offseason and that potentially could be an option for the Jets.
The Jets could also wait until 2027 and draft either Texas’ Arch Manning or Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. The problem with that is Aaron Glenn is coming off a 3-14 season, in which many Jet fans have already called for his firing after just one season.
Gang Green also has a No. 16 pick after dealing Gardner to the Colts. Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss could both be options if the Jets aren’t in love with Moore.
If the Jets draft Moore, they need to understand that he is a project and will take time to be ready for the speed of NFL defenses. Previously, the Jets threw Darnold and Wilson into the fire immediately as rookies. After drafting Drake Maye in 2024, the Patriots started Brissett instead, despite him starting 26 games at North Carolina. More than a year later, Maye could win the 2025 NFL MVP after leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record.
One record bad game shouldn’t derail a player’s draft stock. Three days ahead of the Jan. 14 NFL deadline for underclassmen to declare, sources believe it’s a jump ball that Moore will enter the draft. He could return to Oregon and make millions in NIL. However, the Ducks are recruiting Dylan Raiola, a two-year starter at Nebraska who entered the transfer portal earlier this month.
Moore should enter the draft for no other reason than he is guaranteed to be a top-five pick. If he goes back to Oregon, his draft stock could fall with a stacked 2027 draft class.
The Jets have a difficult decision to make about whether Moore comes out, which will shape their organization for years to come. Drafting Wilson set the franchise back half a decade.
Glenn and Mougey had better make sure they make the right decision about the quarterback position. Regimes rarely get a second chance to choose a quarterback.
