Six games into the Aaron Glenn era, the New York Jets are winless and already eyeing an exit strategy. Justin Fields has protected the ball, but can’t elevate a broken offense. Enter Dante Moore, the Oregon quarterback, throwing 15 touchdowns against three picks and drawing top overall buzz in early 2026 mock drafts.
Could Dante Moore Be the Jets’ Next Franchise Quarterback?
PFSN’s James Fragoza identified Moore as the top choice for New York in his recent three-round 2026 mock draft. His projection came with emphatic praise for the Oregon signal-caller.
“Arm talent? Check. Physical tools? Check. Throwing mechanics? Double check,” Fragoza wrote.
“Dante Moore has showcased the traits that work at the NFL level and deserve No. 1 overall pick capital. Yes, even after he lost the head-to-head duel against the player selected directly after him. A year behind Dillon Gabriel was exactly what the doctor ordered for Moore’s career, and he’s ready to take the leap to the pros (even though he may return for another year in Eugene).”
Moore’s 2025 season supports that assessment. Through six games as Oregon’s starter, the redshirt sophomore completed 72.0% of his passes for 1,396 yards with 15 touchdowns against three interceptions.
That production ranked 36th nationally in the PFSN CFB QB Impact metric before a mid-October stumble against Indiana, where he completed just 21 of 34 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and two picks in a 30-20 loss.
The former five-star recruit transferred to Oregon from UCLA after throwing for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2023. Sitting behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024 allowed Moore to refine his mechanics without the pressure of starting, appearing in just five games with limited action.
Moore’s upside makes the timing particularly awkward for Fields, whose contract structure offers New York a clean exit if they land Moore.
What Makes Justin Fields’ Contract Situation Complicated?
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets that includes $30 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus. The 26-year-old earns a base salary of $5 million in 2025 with a workout bonus of $10,080, carrying a cap hit of $8,010,080.
His contract includes automatic voids for 2027-2029, making him a free agent after the 2026 season. That structure gives New York flexibility to move on without significant dead money if they secure the top pick and target Moore or another quarterback prospect.
Fields has shown ball security through five games with zero interceptions on 799 passing yards and four touchdowns, but his performance tells a different story. The 26-year-old ranks 29th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric with a 66.1 score and D grade through five games. He’s absorbed 19 sacks while completing 65.0% of passes at 6.5 yards per attempt.
His rushing ability provides a spark with 38 carries for 235 yards and three scores, yet the Jets rank 30th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 64.2 score and D grade.
The game against Denver exposed the protection issues when Fields completed just nine of 17 passes for 45 yards while taking nine sacks.
Aaron Glenn’s staff has publicly backed Fields through the winless start, but sitting 0-6 puts everything under the microscope. Moore’s polish, upside, and affordable rookie contract would fit perfectly into a rebuild timeline if the Jets secure the top draft position and he declares early.