The Oregon Ducks have yet to officially name a starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 season. Still, offensive coordinator Will Stein made headlines during fall camp when he drew a lofty comparison for presumed starter Dante Moore.

Speaking with reporters after the fourth week of camp, Stein praised the competitiveness of his quarterback room, which also includes Austin Novosad and Luke Moga. He singled out Moore’s intangibles and arm talent as reminiscent of a former NFL starter he once played with: Teddy Bridgewater.

Dante Moore’s Transformation

Moore, who transferred to Oregon after a rocky freshman season at UCLA, has impressed Stein with his ability to rebound from adversity. At UCLA, Moore’s season was marred by poor offensive line play and the growing pains of being a true freshman starter.

“What I saw when I turned on the tape was wow, throws like, oh my gosh. That was a ball. He’s got elite arm talent,”Stein said, reflecting on reviewing Moore’s 2023 film.

Since arriving in Eugene, Stein says Moore’s talent has flourished within a stronger supporting cast and under a more stable system. Beyond physical skills, the coordinator highlighted Moore’s humility, leadership, and eagerness to learn.

The Bridgewater Comparison

The most striking remark from Stein was his comparison of Moore to Teddy Bridgewater, the longtime NFL quarterback and former Louisville star. Stein, who played with Bridgewater at Louisville, noted similarities in their poise and leadership:

“He wears five; he’s got a glove on his left hand. I played with Teddy Bridgewater. He does remind me a lot of Teddy. Teddy threw the glove on his right hand, but he’s just got that kind of moxie, that it factor, that people just gravitate towards.”

Stein added that Moore blends the cerebral qualities of Oregon’s last starter, Bo Nix, with the unifying presence of transfer QB Dillon Gabriel, creating a unique leadership profile that excites the staff.

It’s a fascinating comparison as Bridgewater and Moore have drastically different skill sets. Bridgewater excels with accuracy, ball placement, and getting the ball out quickly and on time. He doesn’t have a strong arm, nor has he ever been known for making high velocity throws into tight windows. Moore, on the other hand, has a cannon. He throws with velocity and can make tight window throws with ease. His ball placement and down-to-down accuracy have been a mixed bag. The “it factor” Stein references is an intangible that excites me when it comes to Moore, and if Stein believes it to be similar to Bridgewater, that’s exciting news for Duck fans.

While Stein stopped short of officially naming Moore the starter, his remarks paint a clear picture: Moore is not only the frontrunner but possesses qualities that the Ducks believe can elevate him into the national spotlight.

Comparisons to Bridgewater are not made lightly, especially from someone who shared a locker room with him. If Moore can combine his raw talent with the leadership traits Stein sees, Oregon may have found its next star quarterback.

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