The New York Jets were dealt a tough blow on Wednesday when Oregon quarterback Dante Moore decided to go back to school for another season as opposed to entering his name in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Even if you weren’t high on Moore as a prospect, going back to school is bad news for the Jets either way you slice it. The fact of the matter is, the value of the No. 2 overall pick just went down.
Fortunately for New York, though, they have the biggest stockpile of draft capital in the league and have just about every opportunity open to them as they enter a pivotal offseason.
Considering the options available in free agency, a blockbuster trade may be what the Jets need to solve their quarterback woes.
Jets Trade Idea Lands Bengals QB Joe Burrow
In a trade idea first proposed by Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos, the New York Jets would send five draft picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals receive: 2026 No. 2 overall pick, 2026 No. 16 overall pick, 2027 1st rounder, 2027 3rd rounder, 2027 4th rounder
New York Jets receive: QB Joe Burrow
“Last month, Cincinnati Bengals superstar Joe Burrow created wild speculation that he was growing tired of his time in Cincy. While the talk has calmed down since, he left the door open a crack. So, the NY Jets should still inquire and dangle the No. 2 pick,” wrote Burgos.
“They should make the same offer they would for (Myles) Garrett, sans the first-round swap. Is it a big risk? Sure, but it gets Gang Green the franchise QB they have long wanted, and he is only 29. For the Bengals, they get an elite prospect to replace the injury-prone Burrow for far cheaper and more valuable draft assets to improve the roster.”
In Burrow, the Jets find something they haven’t had since the days of Joe Namath, a bona fide franchise quarterback who can put the team on his back.
There would still be work to do on the offense, such as adding another playmaker, but getting the quarterback is the hardest part, and New York can use their almost $70 million in cap space to build out the rest of their roster.
Would the Bengals Make This Deal?
The initial proposal was written before Moore announced his intention to return to Oregon for one more season, so the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t guaranteed a quarterback after landing the No. 2 overall pick.
In all honesty, there isn’t a world where the Bengals willingly trade Burrow to the New York Jets, but in this hypothetical scenario, he’s forcing his way out of Cincinnati.
Back in December, Burrow sounded like a player worn down by the past failures of the Bengals, and it was speculated that the two-time Pro Bowler was considering a change of scenery.
“You know, I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? Uh, so that’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table. I’m not sure there was a singular moment or time.” Burrow told reporters.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
Later on: “There’s just a lot of things going on right now.”
(via
“It’s just a reflection on a lot of things that I’ve done and been through in my career, I think. I’ve been through more than most, and it’s certainly not easy on the brain or the body, so I’m just trying to have fun doing it again. There’s a lot of things going on right now.”
If there’s even an inkling of Burrow wanting a fresh start, the Jets should be doing everything they can to land the elite quarterback.
Jets Trade Proposal Lands Franchise QB After Dante Moore News