One of the top quarterback prospects has decided to stay in school, taking yet another target off the board for the Cleveland Browns.
Oregon passer Dante Moore announced on Wednesday, January 14, that he’ll be returning to college next season. Moore was projected to be a top selection if he came out this season.
“With this decision, mainly all my life has just been about being as most prepared as I can for any situation I go into,” Moore told ESPN. “And when it comes to me making my decision, I just want to do what’s best for my situation, especially as a quarterback.
“With my decision, it’s been very tough. I’ve prayed a lot about it, talked to many people — my mentors and people I look up to. With that being said, of course I’ll be coming back to Oregon for one more year, being able to play for the Oregon Ducks and reach our goal and be national champions.”
Moore’s decision further thins what was already a shallow quarterback class. Indiana Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is widely viewed as the projected No. 1 overall pick, while Alabama’s Ty Simpson is also expected to be among the top passers available. It leaves teams like the Browns with limited high-end options at the position.
Browns to Explore QB Market Amid Uncertainty
Cleveland holds the No. 6 overall pick, as well as selection No. 24, thanks to a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns were likely out of reach to grab Moore if he had come out but could have moved up if they deemed he was their desired target.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it clear that the team will explore all its option this offseason as they look for a viable solution at quarterback.
“We’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified,” Berry said. “I can’t sit here and tell you today, you know, whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external. But it’s something that we’re going to work through over the next several weeks. And quite honestly, the new head coach will also have a lot of input into that as well.”
Shedeur Sanders Likely Option for Browns
With a high-end quarterback prospect unlikely to be within reach, the Browns appear poised to take a more conservative approach under center. The most realistic path forward is evaluating and developing the quarterbacks already under contract — a group that includes Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson.
Sanders started the final seven games of the season. He went 3-4 in those starts, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sanders is not putting too much focus on the decision the franchise might make moving forward of him being the starter.
“I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” Sanders said. “So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there. But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.”
As Berry noted, the new head coach in Cleveland will also have input on who will start at quarterback next season. The Browns fired Kevin Stefanski after the season following a 5-12 campaign.
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