The Jets have been trying to find a franchise quarterback for many years.
Moore threw a pick-six on the primary play from scrimmage and by no means recovered. Indiana dominated Oregon, 56-22, in a School Soccer Playoff semifinal that didn’t appear significantly shut.
Mendoza, 22, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, seemed each bit the longer term No. 1 total decide towards Oregon. He completed with 177 yards and 5 touchdowns. Moore accomplished 24-of-39 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, however he dedicated three backbreaking turnovers.
With three months earlier than the draft, the Jets discover themselves in fairly a predicament. The Raiders will decide first in April’s draft and are anticipated to draft Mendoza.
If Las Vegas selects Mendoza, the Jets would have the choice to draft Moore or take the most effective obtainable participant if he declares for the draft.
“I’m going to soak this moment up and, most importantly, give my hugs and thank yous to my teammates,” Moore stated after Friday’s recreation. “But at the end of the day, I don’t know my decision yet. I’m going to talk to Coach Lanning and talk to my family and everybody, but at the end of the day, I don’t want to think about that right now.”
The Jets haven’t really had a franchise quarterback for the reason that days of Joe Namath. They’ve, in fact, tried to search out long-term options at quarterback after drafting Ken O’Brien, Chad Pennington, Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson. However for a wide range of causes, these gamers by no means fulfilled their potential, no less than not with the Jets.
In 2023, the Jets even acquired Aaron Rodgers in a commerce with the Packers, hoping he might carry a second Tremendous Bowl to the group. However after an Achilles tear and a 5-12 report in 2024, Jets coach Aaron Glenn launched Rodgers final offseason.
The Jets might nonetheless draft Moore, who arguably has the best ceiling of any quarterback who would possibly declare for the draft. However he comes with reputable issues about his play.
Moore, 20, began solely 20 video games in school between his time at UCLA and his 15 begins for Oregon this season. He threw for 3,563 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Geese after main them to the nationwide semifinals.
Though he has restricted expertise, Moore has all the things groups might need in a quarterback. He has distinctive accuracy and a very good passing contact. Moore may scramble whereas additionally utilizing his legs to permit his receivers to get open downfield.
At 6-3, 206 kilos, Moore wants so as to add extra weight and muscle to outlive the pains of the NFL recreation. However Moore has all of the instruments to turn into a profitable quarterback within the league finally.
Nonetheless, two of Moore’s worst video games got here within the losses to Indiana, which has a proficient, complicated protection that feasts on turnovers. The Hooisers’ scheme is similar to the defenses he’ll see on the NFL degree.
Moore additionally struggled towards Texas Tech’s protection within the Orange Bowl, which completed third within the nation in yards and third in factors allowed. He threw for 234 yards and an interception within the 23-0 victory towards the Purple Raiders.
So if the Raiders draft Mendoza, what ought to the Jets do at No. 2? Basic supervisor Darren Mougey might give the Raiders a godfather provide they will’t refuse after buying and selling away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams and buying three extra first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
The Jets might stay at No. 2 total and draft the most effective obtainable participant. They’ve a number of wants on each side of the ball, and gamers like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Texas Tech cross rusher David Bailey, and Ohio State security Caleb Downs would all make an influence on a protection that was thirty first in factors allowed.
The free-agent market isn’t nice for quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins, Jacoby Brissett, and Marcus Mariota among the many notable gamers obtainable. If Gang Inexperienced had been to draft Moore, they’d possible have to signal a bridge quarterback given his age and restricted expertise. The Cardinals are additionally anticipated to commerce Kyler Murray this offseason and that doubtlessly might be an possibility for the Jets.
The Jets might additionally wait till 2027 and draft both Texas’ Arch Manning or Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. The issue with that’s Aaron Glenn is coming off a 3-14 season, during which many Jet followers have already referred to as for his firing after only one season.
Gang Inexperienced additionally has a No. 16 decide after dealing Gardner to the Colts. Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss might each be choices if the Jets aren’t in love with Moore.
If the Jets draft Moore, they should perceive that he’s a mission and can take time to be prepared for the pace of NFL defenses. Beforehand, the Jets threw Darnold and Wilson into the hearth instantly as rookies. After drafting Drake Maye in 2024, the Patriots began Brissett as an alternative, regardless of him beginning 26 video games at North Carolina. Greater than a 12 months later, Maye might win the 2025 NFL MVP after main the Patriots to a 14-3 report.
One report unhealthy recreation shouldn’t derail a participant’s draft inventory. Three days forward of the Jan. 14 NFL deadline for underclassmen to declare, sources consider it’s a soar ball that Moore will enter the draft. He might return to Oregon and make thousands and thousands in NIL. Nonetheless, Dylan Raiola, a two-year starter at Nebraska who entered the switch portal earlier this month, dedicated to Oregon on Monday morning.
Moore ought to enter the draft for no different cause than he’s assured to be a top-five decide. If he goes again to Oregon, his draft inventory might fall with a stacked 2027 draft class.
The Jets have a troublesome resolution to make about whether or not Moore comes out, which is able to form their group for years to come back. Drafting Wilson set the franchise again half a decade.
Glenn and Mougey had higher ensure they make the appropriate resolution concerning the quarterback place. Regimes hardly ever get a second probability to decide on a quarterback.
