Dante Moore's season is over.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning said the quarterback is not expected to return for the 2026 season, prematurely ending a promising campaign that has turned into a disappointing one for the Ducks.
"I am not anticipating him being back this season," Lanning said Monday, Oct. 26.
Moore, who spurned the NFL to return to Oregon with the goal of winning a national championship, played in just four games for Oregon this season. He was injured against USC on Saturday, Sept. 29 after Trojan linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a scary hit to the quarterback that required him to be taken out of the stadium in an ambulance.
While fearing the worst, Moore was diagnosed with just a concussion, opening the door for him to eventually
return. He returned to practice, however, Lanning consistently said Oregon would not rush his return to play as he missed the past three games before the announcement his season was over.
In four games, Moore had 926 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Oregon has struggled without Moore, turning to Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas to handle the quarterback duties as they've had spells of inconsistent play, resulting in both signal-callers getting benched at different points.
The Ducks are 1-2 without Moore, averaging just 14 points per game without him after starting the campaign with at least 31 points in the first four games. As a result, Oregon is sitting with a 4-3 record as the College Football Playoff aspirations are all but gone.
The Ducks recently just fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer following the 21-10 loss to Illinois in Week 8.
Lanning said "this isn't a selfish decision" from Moore deciding not play amid the struggling season.
Will Dante Moore return to Oregon?
It's safe to say Moore's third season at Oregon didn't pan out how he envisioned. After transferring from UCLA for the 2024 season and sitting behind former starter Dillon Gabriel, Moore took over the starting duties in 2025, leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time since 2014.
Now that Moore won't play football for Oregon again this season, there is wonder if he had his last snap for the Ducks. Given he could have been a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, he could likely decide to go pro for 2027. He is projected to be the No. 3 pick in the latest USA TODAY Sports mock draft.
However, Moore does have eligibility to play another season for Oregon. Lanning did not say whether Moore is considering returning or deciding to go pro.
"That's not fair for me to say or speculate. Obviously, he'll have a decision at the end of the season," Lanning said. "I think we all can acknowledge that Dante's a great player, and he'll get the opportunity to be drafted."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oregon QB Dante Moore out for season in latest hit for Ducks
