ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith issued a blunt warning Wednesday for Oregon quarterback Dante Moore as the he weighs his NFL Draft future.
With Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, attention has shifted to Moore and the possibility of him being selected next.
On ESPN’s First Take, Smith said Moore should strongly consider returning to college rather than risk being drafted by the New York Jets, who hold the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft.
"I'd go back to college before I play for the Jets. They are a football atrocity. They are awful." 😳@stephenasmith on if Oregon QB Dante Moore should return to the Ducks instead of potentially playing for the Jets 🏈 pic.twitter.com/6YCQT1acmG
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 7, 2026
“I’d go back to college before I play for the Jets,” Smith said, calling the organization “a football atrocity” and criticizing leadership from owner Woody Johnson to the coaching staff.
Smith’s comments drew swift pushback from Jets fans, many noting that teams drafting at the top, including the Raiders are there because of similar dysfunction. Others argued that struggling franchises rarely improve without elite quarterback talent willing to enter difficult situations.
Even if Moore opts to return to Oregon for another season, the 2026 NFL Draft landscape may not change significantly. New York is not expected to contend in 2026 and could again land near the top of the board in 2027.
Moore started his first full season for Oregon in 2025, throwing for 3,280 yards and 28 touchdowns with nine interceptions while completing 72.9% of his passes.
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