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After a phenomenal 2025 campaign for the Oregon Ducks, there was the expectation that quarterback Dante Moore would be heading off to the NFL. He was widely projected to be a top-two pick in the NFL Draft, likely to the New York Jets at number two overall. Then, the quarterback made a shocking decision. Moore decided to spurn the NFL and return to Oregon.
Now, as NFL training camps open and Moore prepares for his season at Oregon, the financial reasoning for staying in school is becoming clear, according to Chris Vannini of The Athletic.
“He didn’t want to let $50 million get in the way of $600 million,” said Brandon Grier, Moore’s agent.
Moore would have likely gotten over $50 million in his first contract. Fernando Mendoza just signed a deal worth $57.2 million over four years, while David Bailey, the second pick in the draft, will be making $54.6 million. Still, the big payday for a quarterback comes when their rookie contract ends.
“He’s not Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck, coming from families that are well-off already,” Grier said. “He’s the first one that’s going to get to change the path of his family. NIL has given him the opportunity to separate the two decisions and do what he feels is best for him long term.”
Moore consulted with other former NFL quarterbacks who have made the decision to stay in school instead of making the jump, including Andrew Luck.
“I wasn’t ready to leave. I wasn’t ready to go get an apartment by myself in another city and pay utilities,” Luck said. “I think sometimes in our world, we want to grow up so stinking fast. In many ways, I wasn’t ready for that.”
The move also gives Moore time to develop at the college level to make sure he is ready for the NFL.
“Of course there was $50 million on the line, a lot to help support my family, but at the end of the day, I don’t play the game for money,” Moore said. “I play the game to tell myself I’ve got a lot to improve. I had a chance to come back and learn more. So when I take that next step next year, I’ll be more prepared for those moments in my life.”
The decision may have been wise. He has started just 20 games in his college career. There has not been a lot of success in the NFL for quarterbacks with fewer than 20 starts. Cam Newton may be an exception. He has just 14 NCAA starts, but also started a season at a JUCO. Michael Vick also had limited experience before coming out. Still, Trey Lance had just 17 starts in college, Anthony Richardson just 13, Mitchell Trubisky just 13, Dwayne Haskins had 14, and Mark Sanchez had 16. All five of them did not have a ton of success in the NFL, although Trubisky has become a solid backup. A backup does not get a $600 million payday, though.
Now, Oregon and Dante Moore look to win a national championship. Oregon opens their season on September 5 against Boise State.
After a phenomenal 2025 campaign for the Oregon Ducks, there was the expectation that quarterback Dante Moore would be heading off to the NFL. He was widely projected to be a top-two pick in the NFL Draft, likely to the New York Jets at number two overall. Then, the quarterback made a shocking decision.
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