The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a season to forget - a 3-14 finish that left them with the worst record in the league and, in turn, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But with that rock-bottom record comes a golden opportunity: the chance to reset the franchise with a potential franchise quarterback in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
And as the buzz around Mendoza-to-Vegas grows louder, a familiar face is weighing in - and walking back some earlier takes. Former Raiders QB Derek Carr, who spent nearly a decade under center in silver and black, recently clarified his stance on Mendoza during an episode of his Home Grown podcast.
“I had so many stupid tweets about people saying that the Raiders should not take Mendoza,” Carr admitted, acknowledging that his previous comments may have been misunderstood or taken out of context.
Carr’s message wasn’t that Mendoza isn’t worthy of the top pick - far from it. His concern was more about the environment Mendoza would be stepping into.
In Carr’s eyes, drafting a quarterback with Mendoza’s talent is only half the battle. The real challenge?
Building a team around him that can support his development and keep him upright.
“They said that I said they should not take him. I said they should not take him unless they fix everything else,” Carr emphasized.
“So for the record, he should absolutely be the first overall pick. Which I said - he is the undoubtedly number one overall pick.”
That’s a strong endorsement from a guy who knows firsthand what it’s like to be the face of the franchise in Vegas - and what can happen when the pieces around you aren’t in place. Carr’s comments reflect a deeper truth about quarterback development in the NFL: even the most talented arms can flounder without protection, weapons, and a stable coaching environment.
Carr didn’t stop there. He expressed genuine excitement about the idea of Mendoza wearing silver and black, while also voicing concern about the toll a rough rookie season could take on such a promising young player.
“I want to see him in silver and black so bad, I love him,” Carr said. “But I don’t want to see him get beat down and see that happy face not look into the camera during that interview.”
It’s a sentiment that hits home for Raiders fans - and one that underscores the urgency facing the front office this offseason. Mendoza looks like the guy. But if he’s going to thrive in Vegas, the team has to give him more than just a jersey and a playbook.
The good news? The cupboard isn’t completely bare.
The Raiders already have some exciting young weapons in the building, including running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. That’s a strong start for any rookie quarterback looking to find his footing in the league.
Still, Carr’s warning rings loud and clear: the offensive line needs serious attention. If Mendoza is going to be the long-term answer under center, the Raiders can’t afford to let him spend his rookie year running for his life.
Protecting the investment starts up front - and that likely means prioritizing the trenches in free agency and the draft beyond just pick No. 1.
With the draft a few months away, all signs point to Mendoza being the guy. The question now is whether the Raiders can build the right foundation around him.
Because if they do, this franchise might finally have its next true leader under center. And if they don’t?
Well, we’ve seen that story before - and it doesn’t end well.