Dante Moore, Projected #2 Overall Pick, Will Stay At Oregon & Avoid 2026 NFL Draft | Pat McAfee Show

What this episode is about

Dante Moore, a highly touted quarterback projected to be the #2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has decided to return to Oregon for another season rather than entering the draft. This decision follows a reflective assessment of his performance this past season and aims to further develop his skills, especially in the context of lucrative future contracts in the NFL.

Key takeaways

• Dante Moore's choice to return is a nod to player development over immediate cash—NIL's evolution shifts the paradigm.
• Projected number two, yet opting for more playtime: proof that experience trumps draft slots in today's NFL landscape.
• With NIL, staying in college isn't just about football—it's now a lucrative business strategy for top-earning talents.
• Going from two to one in the draft matters little if you can secure a $60 million contract sooner.
• As data shows, seasoned college quarterbacks often transition better to the NFL—Moore's gamble could pay dividends.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Pat McAfee (Host) · 8 min speaking
• AJ Hawk (Guest) · 4 min speaking
• JJ (Guest) · 1 min speaking
• Tone (Guest) · 1 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: second contract, Dante Moore, JJ, NFL
2. 3:00 – 6:00: second contract, Dante Moore, draft, NFL
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Dante Moore, second contract, Drew Aller
4. 9:00 – 12:00: Kirk Cousins, draft, Mississippi
5. 12:00 – 12:37: Will Howard

Notable quotes from "Dante Moore, Projected #2 Overall Pick, Will Stay At Oregon & Avoid 2026 NFL Draft | Pat McAfee Show"

• Think that was reported whenever he decided to transfer over to Oregon. So Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks get their quarterback back. AJ Hawk, how do you feel about it?

  about Dante Moore · at 0:54

• Round. and then I kind of from there decided, I'm going to crush the combine and I'm going to crush my interviews and get myself up there. But if you're projected to be the number two overall pick, let's get this train rolling, unless.

  about combine · at 2:30

• A Sam Darn or Bacon Mayfield get figure it out maybe on their second or third team. So get in the NFL, develop there, make your money there, and then hopefully at some point if…

  about NFL · at 4:20

• While. And I mean I have no idea how much money Oregon is selling out for Dante Mo and also to get Riola to agree to be a backup. That's got to be insane.

  about Dylan Riyola · at 5:42

• Two other dudes go from that Dline and their running backs were going to go and their entire season exploded after playing Oregon. And so you can make that argument, but also…

  about Drew Aller · at 7:47

• I think so. which makes no sense because he also said if Kirk Cousins would have started every game, the Falcons would have won 11 games and won the division.

  about Kirk Cousins · at 11:27

• Will didn't like I like Will Howard the cut of Will Howard's jib. I think I don't know how he is throwing an NFL ball. I don't know how he is with an offense. I don't know any of that.

  about Will Howard · at 12:18

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Dante Moore — Person · Core subject · 5 mentions · first at 0:00
  The episode opens with breaking news that Dante Moore is returning to Oregon, prompting debate about draft position, NIL money, risk, and the value of more college reps versus entering the NFL early.
• JJ — Person · Panelist / co-host voice · 2 mentions · first at 1:32
  JJ largely agrees with the business framing (second contract timing) but also acknowledges NIL and the strategic reasons a top prospect might still return to school.
  Different systems, different coaches, they come in and have that success. but I'm kind of I'm kind of with JJ. If you're at the top of the draft, you have an opportunity. Obviously, you can go back to Oregon and do your thing there.
• Dylan Riyola — Person · Referenced player (roster context) · 2 mentions · first at 0:47
  Riyola’s transfer to Oregon (and reported agreement to be a backup) is used to frame Oregon’s QB room and the strategic implications of Moore returning.
• Kirk Cousins — Person · Referenced NFL quarterback · 2 mentions · first at 11:23
  Cousins is used in a discussion about NFL roster decisions and market dynamics—whether a team would cut him, restructure, or he might choose another team.
• Will Howard — Person · Referenced quarterback · 1 mention · first at 12:18
  Will Howard is evaluated in qualitative terms (size, moxie, leadership, resilience), framed as someone who ‘feels like’ he could be the guy despite unknowns about NFL-level throwing.
• Dan Lanning — Person · Referenced coach · 2 mentions · first at 0:58
  Dan Lanning is cited as the Oregon head coach Dante Moore is ‘bought into,’ implying coaching stability and program belief as factors in Moore’s return.
  Backup and has agreed to be a backup. I think that was reported whenever he decided to transfer over to Oregon. So Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks get their quarterback back. AJ Hawk, how do you feel about it?
• Tre Lance — Person · Referenced cautionary example · 1 mention · first at 4:39
  Lance is invoked as a cautionary tale about limited reps before the NFL and how that can affect development and outcomes.
  Now, granted, we are in an era where Tre Lance's name will get brought up.
• Anthony Richardson — Person · Referenced cautionary example · 1 mention · first at 4:43
  Richardson is mentioned alongside Lance to emphasize the uncertainty when QBs enter the NFL without many reps, including implications for future contracts.
  Obviously, didn't get to play a lot of football because of co and everything like that. Anthony Richardson, yep, didn't get to play a lot of ball. Who knows what his contract…
• Drew Aller — Person · Referenced prospect / comparison point · 1 mention · first at 7:44
  Aller is used to illustrate volatility in projections and team outcomes—described as a potential #1 pick before a season ‘exploded’ after playing Oregon.
• Sam Darnold — Person · Referenced NFL quarterback (example case) · 1 mention · first at 4:18
  Darnold is cited as an example of a QB who may ‘figure it out’ on a second or third team, supporting the argument to enter the NFL and develop there.
  But we've seen quarterbacks even like a Sam Darn or Bacon Mayfield get figure it out maybe on their second or third team. So get in the NFL, develop there, make your money there, and then.
• Baker Mayfield — Person · Referenced NFL quarterback (example case) · 1 mention · first at 4:20
  Mayfield is paired with Darnold as an example of a QB who can improve after changing teams, reinforcing the ‘get to the NFL and develop’ argument.
  But we've seen quarterbacks even like a Sam Darn or Bacon Mayfield get figure it out maybe on their second or third team. So get in the NFL, develop there, make your money there, and then hopefully at some point if you're good.

Concepts & topics

• NFL — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at 0:36
  The NFL is framed as the ultimate destination where development, team fit, and especially second/third contracts determine long-term earnings and career outcomes.
• draft — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at 4:32
  Draft positioning (e.g., #2 vs #1 overall) is debated as less important than health, readiness, and reaching the second contract; also discussed are ripple effects for teams needing QBs.
  Belt, especially with the amount of money that you can make in the current NIO world. Now, he was projected to potentially be the number two overall pick. So, there isn't much…
• second contract — Concept · Core topic · 6 mentions · first at 0:39
  Second (and third) NFL contracts are repeatedly described as the true financial inflection point, shaping whether staying in college is worth delaying entry by a year.
  Understand that if you're good at football in the NFL and great when you get there, your second and third contracts are going to be gigantic as opposed to just moving up from…
• NIL — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at 2:04
  NIL is presented as a major structural change that allows elite players to earn significant money in college, altering the traditional incentive to enter the NFL as early as possible.
  Lot of people thought would make sense if he was to go get more ball under his belt, especially with the amount of money that you can make in the current NIO world. Now, he was…
• combine — Concept · Supporting topic · 1 mention · first at 2:33
  The combine is discussed as a lever for improving draft stock (performance + interviews), contrasting with Dante Moore’s already-elite projection.

Places & events

• Mississippi — Place · Referenced legal/eligibility context location · 1 mention · first at 10:52
  Mississippi is mentioned as the venue for a court situation tied to a player seeking an extra year of eligibility, illustrating off-field factors affecting draft timing.
  When he played his best football. And I know he's still going through, the court situation in Mississippi trying to get that extra year. But if he were to come out and be like a mid-round pick, I can see this guy being a guy in the NFL.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 We have some breaking news. Dante Moore will be headed back to Oregon. Wow. For another year. This is obviously uh a decision after watching this season and how this season ended at 20 years of age. I think only like 21 games through his college football career. I think a lot of people thought would make sense if he was to go get more ball under his belt, especially with the amount of money that you can make in the current NIO world. Now, he was projected to potentially be the number two overall pick. So, there isn't much higher that you can go in the draft other than the number one overall pick for if he stays for another season. But, we all understand that if you're good at football in the NFL and great when you get there, your second and third contracts are going to be gigantic as opposed to just moving up from number two to number one and maybe he does jump to the number one overall pick with

0:47 another season. Dylan Riyola transferred into Oregon. We assume that he will be a backup and has agreed to be a backup. I think that was reported whenever he decided to transfer over to Oregon. So Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks get their quarterback back. AJ Hawk, how do you feel about it?

1:03 Yeah, I mean I think good for him. I'm glad Oregon I would assume is very very happy about this. Dante Moore can out he can play. I mean I I love how dynamic he is, how his arm strength and we talked about after that first play, pick six to start the game. He came back the next drive and showed a lot of like it's tough to pull the trigger I think once you do that first play of the game. So I give him a lot of credit. AJ, you were number five overall, right? Pick.

1:25 Yeah. J, when were you selected? They booed obviously, but what was it? 11. You were 11 overall. Whenever you're getting that read back, both of you guys, I guess I would ask JJ, you could start. Hey, this is what you're going to get picked. It's basically locked in. Dante's probably going number two that you'd be the second quarterback guy. Quarterbacks normally lead the way. Now granted, it could go differently if somebody saw something in Deanna and get whatever you get it. But it was projected very high draft pick to go back to college now. different than back in the day. It feels like, right, doesn't it?

1:53 Yeah. And I I I do believe like you were talking about from going from two to one, like I mean that's minuscule in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the ability to get to a second contract and pushing it a year down the road. And NIL has changed everything. Like it's not I mean, yes, there's still absolutely the love of the game and wanting to finish unfinished business and all of that, but more than ever, this is all a business now. in getting to that second contract a year earlier in my personal opinion when you're that high. Now, it's for me personally, I was they act they told me you're a projected first/ second rounder, but the guy was like I would say closer to the first round. Um, and then I kind of from there decided, you know, I'm going to crush the combine and I'm going to crush my interviews and get myself up there. But I mean, if you're projected to be the number two overall pick, I mean, let's

2:42 get this train rolling, you know, unless you really don't like the team that's drafting up there. Unless you really there's some reason where you don't like the way things are shaking out for this year, but let's get that train rolling, buddy.

2:52 So, J's take is the faster you get to the NFL, the faster we get to that second overall or second contract in that third contract, which is where the 50 million a year, 45, 60 million probably a year, whenever they get to that point for That is

3:07 very different conversation for a a projected fourth or fifth round pick quarterback who could also make $67 million in college. Very different conversation.

3:15 Definitely definitely definitely definitely. But did you leave early, Jage? Yes.

3:21 This guy's a dog, dude. Smart man. Age, you didn't leave early, right? You played four bowl games if I recall?

3:26 Yeah, I played I played all four. Yeah. Jade said first second round. Have they seen me jump? This is 80% look 20% 15% and then you jump to

3:40 I mean A it's your dream b the body's only got so many years in it man you've got to take advantage

3:45 he's 20 he's very young now granted which would mean he'd be so young getting to a second contract but what we've seen over the past it feels like guys who have more ball experience in college have seemingly had better transitions into the NFL which is maybe the most important thing of this entire conversation.

4:02 Yeah we have seen that as of late. Uh Jaden Daniels, Bo Nicks come in with a ton of reps under their belt, played in different systems, different coaches, they come in and have that success. Uh but I'm kind of I'm kind of with JJ. If you're at the top of the draft, you have an opportunity. Obviously, you can go back to Oregon and do your thing there. But we've seen uh quarterbacks even like a Sam Darn or Bacon Mayfield get figure it out maybe on their second or third team. So get in the NFL, develop there, make your money there, and then hopefully at some point if you're good enough and you believe in yourself and your work ethic, you know, you'll get it done. But yeah, it's it's not much higher you can go in the draft, go and get that money.

4:37 Now, granted, we are in uh an era where Tre Lance's name will get brought up. Obviously, didn't get to play a lot of football because of co and everything like that. Anthony Richardson, yep,

4:45 didn't get to play a lot of ball. Who knows what his contract goes to, and I'm not saying Dante Moore hasn't played more ball than those guys. He certainly has, but it's like it feels like the reps show up uh now. And uh maybe this Oregon run will help him. But yeah, number two overall was tone. What is the thought? Did we think he was coming back? I think immediately after the game, I thought he was coming back just strictly because emotions like that can't be how this year ends and everything like that,

5:13 but then as you kind of drift away from it, you wonder how many business people are getting into his the conversation. So for him to return, it does feel like he's completely bought into coach landing and what Oregon can do. I guess we should have expected that.

5:24 Yeah. I like I didn't know what he was going to do and I was in the camp of the um you know play more football. So, and I get the get to the second contract but put yourself in a better chance to play better football to get to the second contract once you go to the NFL because we have seen recently how awesome it's been for guys that have been there for a while. And I mean I have no idea how much money Oregon is selling out for Dante Mo and also to get Riola to agree to be a backup. That's got to be insane. But when I saw their top four defensive linemen who were all supposed to go to the NFL draft all decided to stay, it kind of in my mind was like, "Oh, maybe this is a team thing. This is a, hey, we just got embarrassed. Hey, we're coming back for one more year to do this the right way." Kind of like Ohio State did two years ago or last year, sorry, excuse me. So, I I thought there was a

6:12 decent chance that he would end up staying, but then the rile thing kind of threw a curveball. But, uh, I'm not I'm not completely shocked. I uh

6:20 but I do I this may be a this may be a slightly cynical outlook but it's just reality from having seen situations happen to guys in my life whether it was a guy in a contract year where something happens and he doesn't end up getting the contract he should like you have to also weigh the risk and reward of the situation and what you can possibly lose in addition to what you could possibly gain. And I've seen so many times a guy going into a contract year where he's set up for the biggest extension possible and then all of a sudden it might even be in the playoff game, the last game of the season, he gets hurt and now all of a sudden he's not getting the extension he thought he was. And as a player, I know that like everything about it sounds right. This is awesome.

7:00 You're going back to school. This is awesome. He wants to finish unfinished business. All this is great. But like sometimes people need to also talk to the individual about the the realities.

7:11 J is saying, "Yeah, Mighty Ducks is cool." Okay, we're all going to the same academy. I Yeah. Okay. This is all really cool, but there's a chance that movie ends bad and uh it doesn't work out whenever you come back. And then also, what else happened? Well, projections are a little bit different because the quarterback class next year loaded. I mean, absolutely loaded. So, if you continue to think about the second contract though with how loaded the next quarterback class is, maybe he propels himself up to number one, but also maybe he gets on a team that isn't completely ass. I I mean, there is certainly some positives that can come from all this if he remains healthy and if he continues to develop.

7:43 I mean, it just happened with Penn State. This Drew Aller was number one overall pick and they were going to have two other dudes go from that Dline and their running backs were going to go and their entire season exploded after playing Oregon. And so you can make that argument, but also on the other side of it, you can look at, you know, Tai Simpson guy going to play on Monday, Carson Beck, like, well, holy all of a sudden we might be the number two overall pick. Like that's a great opportunity now for those other guys.

8:08 The Dante Moore thing, like, cool. Hopefully it works out. Who knows? I mean, you can't go.

8:13 We hope it works. I hope it works out. Genuinely do. And then for those other guys, too, it's a great opportunity. And you wonder now what like the Jets are thinking who were at two who everyone was like, well, they're just going to take Dante Moore. Like you wonder what the the repercussions now with the NFL, the the big league. It really will be now.

8:28 Well, Tone's been saying for the last couple days, there's only one quarterback coming out of this draft class. How do you know, Tone? Did you have Shock being a guy?

8:37 Kyper had more at one. Yeah, Kyper did have more at one that popped up on the screen as I was saying. Literally, I had to look like the biggest of all time.

8:47 Fernando Mendoza is generational. I'm going to say, and then they pop up on the lower third. Mel Kyper Jr.'s Here's projected draft. Number one, Dante Moore Jr. number two, Fernando Mendoza. I'm like, "All right, Mel Kyper. Didn't know I got drafted to punt on the day I got drafted."

9:02 My draft celebration with my family is he's burying me in the background. Okay, obviously that's great. Thank you, Mel Kyper Jr. for doing that to me. But a man who loves ball, so we will certainly stick with it. But I was so confused on what he was seeing versus what I was seeing and Fernando Mendoza being 6'5 230 and then like watching him just be methodical on this offense and then they talk about his work ethic and how he's able to do things and he's having beers with the boys which I don't know if Mel Kyper Jr. is holding as high regard as I'm as I hold it especially when people are calling him AI. Debut asked him a question he gave an answer and Debb said that's what an AI would say. Debbut thinks he's a robot.

9:40 He gave an AI answer. He did. I don't mind a robot at quarterback. You definitely got to be human, but I I had questions. He answered them. We'll see.

9:46 Well, he has beers, too. I don't know if his computers can drink beers yet. Once they can, we do got to start worrying about it. The odds currently at DraftKings have Fernando Mendoza at minus 8,000. Trinad Chamblas at plus 3,000. I like that Winnad's getting a look though.

10:00 Mhm. After we saw him live, he was cool, man. He's throwing the spots, too. He can't see So, he's not going to be able to see in the NFL. Obviously, that's going to be talked about a lot with Trinidad. But whenever he was playing the game we were watching against Miami's defense very big, very physical. He was throwing to spots already. So like that's an NFL throw. He's gonna Brock Perie has to do that because he's small. Drew Brees had to do that. Kyler Murray is going to have to continue to get better at that. Like that is what undersized guys have to kind of prove. He proved that to us I think against Miami.

10:27 Yeah, I was very impressed with his just control of the game, understanding coverages, understanding what spots to throw to, kind of the timing when to throw to him. You saw a lot of those throws. He was throwing the ball before his receivers were even out of their break. And how live his arm was. I didn't know, you know, his arm had that type of juice. And it's much different when you are on the field and you can see it in real time. And then the high pressure moments. I feel like that's when he played his best football. And I know he's still going through, you know, the court situation in Mississippi trying to get that extra year. But if he were to come out and be like a mid-round pick, I can see this guy being a guy in the NFL.

11:00 I I don't know if he's going to be a mid round with the way this year is with quarterbacks. I think he's

11:05 I don't know. Next year's draft class quarterback loaded with names. Yeah. Yeah.

11:10 Who knows if they'll end up being actual players. So many teams right now need quarterbacks and there's nine open jobs. A few of those teams need quarterbacks. You would assume a coach might like a guy. Hey, if he's there, we'll take

11:22 Dano said Perk Cousins. And then he said Kirk Cousins. Is he going to get cut is what he said

11:26 allegedly. I think so. which makes no sense because he also said if Kirk Cousins would have started every game, the Falcons would have won 11 games and won the division. So why would you cut that?

11:34 So he's speaking from Kirk's side saying they're about to cut a guy that if they would have just left playing this last year, he would have won a bunch of games.

11:40 You say possible resign though after they cut him, didn't he say that? Yeah, I redo his deal and Christian Kirk Cousins might end up just picking a different team. Like there might just be another team up there at the top that wants him.

11:51 It's going to be a steel quarterback. Got it. It's a great question, J. I mean, it took me a lot to not say the other one.

11:59 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Obviously, obviously they all go together there at the same time. The um Steelers fascinating. Will Hard.

12:07 Will Hard. Well, you seen Will. Will's good. I liked Will. Will's big. Will's got Moxy. Will's got a lot of celebrations with teammates. Will could have crumbled. Will didn't like I like Will Howard the cut of Will Howard's jib. I think I don't know how he is throwing an NFL ball. I don't know how he is with an offense. I don't know any of that but I just know that Will Howard as quarterback feels like a guy that could be the guy.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Dante Moore, Projected #2 Overall Pick, Will Stay At Oregon & Avoid 2026 NFL Draft | Pat McAfee Show"?

Pat McAfee (Host), AJ Hawk (Guest), JJ (Guest), Tone (Guest).

What is "Dante Moore, Projected #2 Overall Pick, Will Stay At Oregon & Avoid 2026 NFL Draft | Pat McAfee Show" about?

Dante Moore, a highly touted quarterback projected to be the #2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has decided to return to Oregon for another season rather than entering the draft. This decision follows a reflective assessment of his performance this past season and aims to further develop his skills, especially in the context of lucrative future contracts in the NFL.

What is mentioned in this The Pat McAfee Show episode?

17 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Dante Moore, NFL, draft, second contract, NIL, JJ. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Dante Moore, Projected #2 Overall Pick, Will Stay At Oregon & Avoid 2026 NFL Draft | Pat McAfee Show"?

The episode runs 13 min; the transcript is about 2,935 words in 43 timestamped sections.

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