The Las Vegas Raiders believe they have found their franchise quarterback after taking Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and National Championship while also winning the Heisman Trophy, amongst numerous other awards.
After being drafted, Mendoza made a claim that he wasn’t sure if he had earned the right to wear the No. 15 jersey with the Raiders, which of course was first worn by Hall of Fame coach and the first quarterback in franchise history, Tom Flores. But Flores erased any thoughts of Mendoza being deserving to wear the jersey, via Paul Gutierrez of Raiders.com:
“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
Flores continued on with his praise, feeling he can make every throw on the field, along with being a good looking guy like himself:
“He’s perfect,” he continued. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch.
“Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”
When told of Flores’ words about him, Mendoza responded with nothing but praise for the Hall of Famer and the Raiders organization as a whole:
“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza deadpanned. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank [Flores] enough. I’m so blessed.
“I had a good college career; I haven’t done anything in the NFL. So for him as an NFL legend, a Raider legend, for him to give me permission to wear the number 15 and represent Raider Nation, the Silver and Black and him, all in one, it’s an eternal blessing. Every single day I’m going to have a commitment to excellence to make sure than I can live up to that standard.”
This says a lot about Mendoza as a person. Plenty of others have worn the no. 15 but the top pick feels strongly about the respect and honor for those Raiders legends and wants to earn everything. However Flores believes Mendoza’s name will be alongside the rest of those legends one day and knows he will do the legacy of that jersey number proud.
Fernando Mendoza believes Raiders are perfect fit for his play style
Mendoza is excited to be a part of the Raiders organization and truly believes this franchise is the perfect fit for him and the way he plays on the field.
