Oregon QB Dante Moore Turns Down $52.5M NFL Offer

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit praises Moore's decision to return to college football for another season.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore shocked the college football world last month when he opted to return to Eugene for an extra season rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft, where he was projected to be a top-2 pick and earn a fully guaranteed $52.5 million contract. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit praised Moore's decision, saying the extra year of development will benefit him in the long run.

Why it matters

Moore's decision to return to college football has ensured that the class of 2027 will have one of the most talented and deepest quarterback classes in recent memory. His choice to prioritize further development over immediate NFL riches is a rare move in today's college football landscape.

The details

According to Spotrac, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft would have been due a four-year, fully guaranteed $52.5 million contract, including a $34 million signing bonus. However, Moore revealed that the financial incentives did not play a role in his decision, stating "If it was money, I would've been in the NFL by now." Instead, he felt he could better prepare himself for the next level by returning to Oregon for another season.

  • In his first season as a starter for Oregon in 2025, Moore earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.9, ranking 22nd for the season.
  • Last month, Moore opted to return to Eugene for an extra season rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Dante Moore

The Oregon quarterback who turned down a projected $52.5 million rookie contract in the NFL to return to college for another season.

Kirk Herbstreit

The ESPN analyst who praised Moore's decision to return to college football, saying the extra year of development will benefit him in the long run.

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What they’re saying

“I think next year's gonna be a better group. I think Dante Moore's decision to come back, I don't know who advised him, but that was a great decision. It would have been so easy for him to get caught up in, 'Hey, I can be the first pick overall.' What I've learned over the years is that repetition really matters.”

— Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN Analyst (Crain & Cone Podcast)

“No, [NIL] wasn't a factor at all. I mean, you have $55 million guaranteed in the NFL as the second pick overall. Money doesn't play a factor with me. I mean, if it was money, I would've been in the NFL by now. More of it was just getting my talent as best as possible.”

— Dante Moore (On3)

What’s next

With Moore returning to Oregon, the 2027 NFL Draft class is expected to be one of the most talented and deep quarterback classes in recent memory.

The takeaway

Dante Moore's decision to forgo a potential $52.5 million rookie contract in the NFL to return to college football for another season is a rare and admirable move in today's landscape. His focus on further developing his talent over immediate financial gain shows a maturity and long-term vision that could pay dividends in his professional future.