The Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has been a foregone conclusion for quite some time now. Finding a franchise quarterback has been the top priority for the Raiders for multiple years and Mendoza is coming off an outstanding year, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and National Championship.
It was finally made official on Thursday night and Mendoza is excited to get to work and help turn this franchise around, but in his eyes this isn’t just a case of the Raiders happening to be the team to draft him. Rather, the quarterback truly believes that the Raiders were the best fit for himself as a player, via Levi Edwards of Raiders.com:
“[D]eep down, in my heart, I knew the Raiders are most likely going to be the best fit because of the coaching staff,” he said. “I think it really fits my play-style great, with all the great teammates on offense and defense, they’re stacked. … I think all the stars are aligning here, and this is a blessing, this position.”
The Raiders are under a new regime with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak taking over as head coach. Kubiak did excellent work in Seattle, helping lead them to a Super Bowl last season with Sam Darnold having an outstanding year at quarterback. Now adding Mendoza to take over under center, there is a lot of excitement surrounding this team.
Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions last season, and added another seven touchdowns on the ground as well, coming through time and time again for Indiana when they needed it most on their way to that National Championship.
The Raiders already had a couple promising pieces on offense with tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Add Mendoza in, along with Kubiak in charge of everything and the Raiders finally seem to be turning things around and moving in the right direction.
Kirk Cousins gives his thoughts on new Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza
Knowing they were primed to draft Mendoza with the top pick, the Raiders also felt it necessary to have a veteran backup behind him and signed Kirk Cousins during free agency. And prior to the draft, the veteran signal caller gave his thoughts on Mendoza and the traits he has that will make him successful in the NFL.
