The New York Jets have a long-winded history of trying and failing to find their franchise quarterback.
Over the last decade, they’ve taken multiple swings in the NFL draft, selecting Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in 2018 and Zach Wilson No. 2 in 2021.
They’ve taken the veteran approach, signing Ryan Fitzpatrick and Justin Fields, and trading for Aaron Rodgers.
Nothing has worked out as a long-term solution thus far.
Now, heading into 2026, the Jets are armed with the No. 2 overall pick in this April’s draft, and all signs point to them selecting the current consensus QB2, Oregon’s Dante Moore.
But one draft analyst suggested that Moore should return to Oregon if he catches wind that New York has interest in him, to avoid playing for a team like the Jets.
Todd McShay Urges Dante Moore to Avoid the Jets
The Ringer’s Todd McShay projected the New York Jets to select Moore in his latest mock draft, but immediately after, voiced his concerns for the Oregon quarterback’s development in New York.
“Would you or would you not, as the representative of Dante Moore kinda reach out to the Raiders and say, ‘hey, my client is trying to make a decision – we can live with going to 30 of the 32 teams, maybe it’s 31,’ I can’t allow him to go to the New York Jets,” McShay said.
“I promise you no single player in this draft wants to be a New York Jet.”
“And I realize in 2027, maybe he’s the seventh pick, or the fifth pick…But I can’t allow him to just – he’s got an opportunity to go back to Oregon and probably make the same amount of money that he’s gonna make in his rookie contract. Phil Knight will make that happen.”
“I promise you, not one single player in this entire draft, unless they grew up a Jets fan or have some kind of family tie, wants to be a New York Jet.”
It’s sharp words from McShay, and it has some Jets fans up in arms.
– Has had 6 HCs in 6 years – Has a clown of an owner – Their best player is angry at them for shutting him down to tank – One winning season in 9 years
In fairness to McShay, New York does not have a great history of drafting and developing quarterbacks.
But does that mean that the franchise should just fold and never select a quarterback high in the draft again?
Absolutely not.
Is Todd McShay Tearing Down the Jets as a Favor to a Friend?
Something to consider when listening to McShay’s rant about the history of the New York Jets and their woes is his past connections to NFL decision makers.
New York’s previous general manager, Joe Douglas, is a close friend of McShay’s and was even rumored to join the Jets front office when Douglas was first hired in 2019.
“As Douglas builds out his front office, one option he is considering is former college teammate and current ESPN draft and college football analyst Todd McShay,” reported ESPN’s Rich Cimini back in June 2019.
“McShay acknowledged he is being considered for a role, telling ESPN on Saturday that ‘Joe is considering multiple options, and I’m one of the options.'”
Of course, Douglas was unceremoniously fired midseason in 2024.
Maybe McShay should be more careful when voicing his concerns about a potential draft pick and recognize that his previous connections can cloud his judgment.
Now, does McShay have merit in some of his concerns surrounding a Moore/Jets marriage? Absolutely.
But is New York really that much worse of a landing spot than, say, the Las Vegas Raiders? No.
The Raiders will have their sixth head coach in as many years this upcoming hiring cycle, something even the dysfunctional Jets haven’t been able to achieve in their history.
Todd McShay Sends Stern Jets Warning to Oregon’s Dante Moore