The McShay Show

Episode: Dante Moore’s Returning to Oregon! Instant Reactions and the 2026 NFL Draft Fallout.

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Todd McShay
Guest: Steve Wiltfong

Episode Overview

This episode delivers instant, in-depth reactions to quarterback Dante Moore’s surprise decision to return to Oregon for another college football season, rather than declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Todd McShay and Steve Wiltfong assess the ripple effects on college football, the 2026 draft class, and especially NFL teams like the Jets and Cardinals. The discussion also dives into related quarterback storylines—including Ty Simpson’s controversial comments and decision—and the shifting landscapes of college quarterback development, NIL money, and transfer culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dante Moore’s Decision to Return to Oregon

• Surprise Factor
  • McShay recounts the frantic buildup, texts, and rumors leading into Moore’s SportsCenter announcement. The decision caught even well-connected insiders off guard.
    • “This was not expected. Dante Moore with the decision—shades of LeBron James taking his talents—where, we’ll talk about it here.” (Todd McShay, 00:00)
• Reasoning: NFL Data & Quarterback Development
  • Both hosts agree it’s the right move for Moore’s long-term NFL success.
    • “There’s a, you know, 25 starts you need. He’s got 20 now. You go back, you get that starting experience, you put yourself in a way better position for long-term success.” (Steve Wiltfong, 03:03)
• Scout & Front Office Feedback
  • McShay shares conversations with NFL scouts: everyone points to Moore’s maturity.
    • “The first word that comes out of everyone’s mouth about this young man, Dante Moore: maturity.” (Todd McShay, 08:42)
  • The NFL’s cautionary tale: first-round QBs with under 20 starts fare poorly. Moore’s now at 20 after the Peach Bowl.
    • McShay runs down a “who’s who” of cautionary examples: Trubisky, Anthony Richardson, Dwayne Haskins, Mark Sanchez, Trey Lance, etc. (See [09:59]–[13:18])

2. Oregon’s Changing Roster and NIL Landscape

• Key Departures and Returns
  • Offensive coordinator Will Stein leaves; several defensive starters surprisingly choose to return; Kenyon Sadiq (TE) and Dylan Dieneman (S) depart as expected.
  • McShay: “Their entire defensive line’s coming back. So you started to get this momentum, like maybe he’s going to come back.” (06:56)
• NIL Offers & Transfer Rumors
  • Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss made massive financial offers, fueling speculation Moore might leave. Reference: Ty Simpson claims of $6.5M offers.
    • “The money, Todd, is astronomical. And then Ty comes out and says, yeah, Miami offered me 6.5 million and Tennessee was at... 4.” (Steve Wiltfong, 07:00)
  • Ultimately, Oregon’s resources (with Phil Knight’s support) and program stability played a role in retaining Moore.

3. Technical Evaluation of Dante Moore

• Strengths
  • Effortless mechanics, NFL-caliber throws, anticipation, layering passes over defenders, mobility to extend plays.
    • “Throws the most catchable ball of any quarterback that we’ve talked about in the country this year. Lot of shades of Stroud. Right. And the good and some of the bad, to be honest with you.” (Todd McShay, 14:56)
  • Maturity and big-picture perspective are cited as elite traits that separate Moore.
• Areas to Improve
  • Needs another year of refinement, particularly dealing with pressure and inconsistent decision-making under duress.
    • “He needs to go and figure out why it is he’s so inconsistent with pressure. Because there’s moments where you’re great, but a lot of your problems have come with the inside pressure.” (Todd McShay, 18:40)

4. Impact on 2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Class

• Immediate Fallout
  • With Moore out, Fernando Mendoza is the probable #1 pick, with Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Trinidad Chambliss, and Garrett Nussmeier now the next in line.
    • “Right now this quarterback class consists of…Fernando Mendoza, very likely number one overall pick to the Raiders. Ty Simpson with 15 starts…Carson Beck…Trinidad Chambliss…and Garrett Nussmeier.” (Todd McShay, 21:07)
• Jets & Cardinals Outlook
  • The Jets, initially seen as a strong Moore landing spot (#2 overall), must pivot; hosts discuss whether patience and roster-building could prove a blessing in disguise.
    • “Why aren’t the Jets looking at this and saying, you know what…by 2027 we’ll be ready to draft a quarterback, plug them in and start to grow.” (Todd McShay, 24:00)

5. NIL & The Changing College Quarterback Path

• Transfer Culture & NFL Reality
  • Wiltfong pushes back on the notion players must stay at one school, citing the success of transfer QBs in the first round.
    • “Look at the quarterbacks that have been drafted in the first round. All of them are transferring: Jaden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, Cam Ward…” (Steve Wiltfong, 29:39)
• Dante Moore’s Bet on Himself vs. Ty Simpson’s Loyalty
  • Segment pivots to Ty Simpson’s controversial statement about loyalty and legacy at Alabama, sparking debate about the “right way” to approach college careers:
    • Ty Simpson quote (read by McShay):
      “Everybody would just remember me as the guy who took all this money and went to Miami or Tennessee for his last year. But I was a captain. I put my hand in… the cement. I would have lost everything that I built at Alabama.” (25:45)
  • Wiltfong questions the substance of what Simpson “built,” noting Alabama’s existing status and championships.
    • “You did. I mean, Alabama teams win championships, my man. Like, you didn’t do that. It felt…it came across to me like he was saying, ‘I had built’—I don’t know what he built. Alabama’s built.” (Steve Wiltfong, 26:00)
  • McShay defends Simpson’s loyalty, acknowledging how league insiders value it—even if not always a practical strategy in today’s landscape.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Moore’s Maturity:
  “The first word that comes out of everyone’s mouth about this young man, Dante Moore—maturity. Like, until you’re around him, Todd, until you get to spend some time with him, it’s hard to articulate just how mature he is.” (Todd McShay, 08:42)

• On the Importance of College Starts for QBs:
  “Every single quarterback of merit in the NFL…minimum 25 starts. Only three of those guys were sub-30 starts: Bryce Young… and the two other guys are superhuman: Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Everyone else is 30-plus starts.” (Todd McShay, 09:59)

• On Oregon’s Roster Dynamics:
  “Their entire defensive line’s coming back. So you started to get this momentum, like maybe he’s going to come back.” (Todd McShay, 06:56)

• On Ty Simpson’s Loyalty:
  “I just like in today’s day and age…but my point is, all he said was, I wanted to be remembered as the guy who came here and did it the right way, who’s an Alabama guy.” (Todd McShay, 30:40)

• On the Upside of Moore’s Return for Oregon & His NFL Career:
  “This decision is going to set him up for success. And yes, he’s turning down a four-year deal that would probably get him like a $30-something-million signing bonus…but now…his likelihood of getting to that second contract where these guys are making tens of millions a year—and getting real rich…that’s going to trickle down generations.” (Todd McShay, 15:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dante Moore’s Announcement — Surprise & Reaction: (00:00–03:03)
• NIL Offers & Oregon’s Defensive Returns: (06:00–08:42)
• Maturity and Big Picture for Dante Moore: (08:42–10:00)
• NFL Data on QB Starts & Risk Analysis: (09:59–13:18)
• Dante Moore’s NFL Evaluation: (13:18–15:38)
• Draft Fallout — Who’s Next for Jets/Cardinals & 2026 Class: (21:07–24:14)
• Ty Simpson’s Comments and the Transfer/Loyalty Debate: (25:44–33:32)
• Closing Remarks, Look Ahead to Championship Game Preview: (34:20–End)

Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, deeply knowledgeable—McShay and Wiltfong balance sharp football analysis with genuine, sometimes blunt, personal perspectives. The tone alternates between urgent, thoughtful, and wryly humorous, especially when commiserating with Jets fans or ribbing each other over QB takes.

Summary Takeaways

• Dante Moore’s return to Oregon is a surprise, but widely lauded as mature and smart for his long-term NFL prospects—especially given data on successful pro QBs needing ample college starting experience.
• Oregon retains a key piece amidst roster upheaval, benefitting both the player and program as the ripple effects stretch into the draft and transfer portal.
• The episode smartly interrogates evolving expectations: NIL-induced player movement, transfer culture, and the pressure for loyalty versus careerism in college sports.
• NFL teams—particularly those desperate for QBs—must recalibrate, but patience (for teams like the Jets) could pay dividends in future draft classes.

For more insights, expert analysis, and McShay’s full updated mock draft, subscribe to The McShay Report.