The Las Vegas Raiders may not have made anything official yet, but all signs are pointing toward a new era-and possibly a new face of the franchise. With the No. 1 overall pick in their pocket and the coaching search seemingly nearing its conclusion, the buzz around quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza is heating up fast.
And Mendoza? He’s not shying away from the noise.
During an appearance on Up & Adams at Radio Row, Mendoza gave a nod to the Silver and Black faithful, praising the passion and loyalty of Raiders fans. “The Raiders fans are some of the best fans in all of the NFL,” he said.
“They’re diehard, they’re loyal. They really go all in for their team.”
That kind of energy resonates in a city like Las Vegas, where the team is looking to turn the page and build a sustainable winner. The Raiders haven’t had long-term stability at quarterback in years, and with the top pick in the draft, the opportunity to reset the position is right there for the taking. Mendoza, the standout from Indiana University, has been the consensus top pick in most mock drafts-and for good reason.
He’s not just saying the right things. He’s showing the kind of mindset that NFL teams crave in a young signal-caller.
“Whatever team drafts me, I’m gonna make sure and try and give it my all,” Mendoza said. “Control all the controllables.
In order to be set up like either Drake Maye or Sam Darnold one day, competing for one of these bad boys.”
That last part? He’s talking about Super Bowl rings.
And while his confidence is clear, Mendoza’s also displaying a level of humility that’s refreshing. He’s not walking into the league thinking he’ll be the savior overnight.
“I think it gets a little twisted sometimes,” he said. “It’s not just one guy who is going to go in and completely supersede everything.
I believe that I’m going to do everything I can. And ask those veterans: How can I help as a leader?
What can I do? And just try to work with those guys.”
That’s the kind of approach that earns respect in NFL locker rooms. Mendoza isn’t selling himself as a one-man rebuild-he’s talking about being a piece of the puzzle. And for a team like the Raiders, where the culture has been in flux and leadership has been inconsistent, that kind of mindset could be exactly what’s needed.
According to league analysts, Mendoza might not have the superstar ceiling of some past No. 1 picks, but his intangibles-toughness, poise, and accuracy-are what make him a fit for the modern game. As one report put it, “Mendoza might never be a superstar, but his toughness, poise, and accuracy could make this offense go, along with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.”
That’s the vision: a young, accurate quarterback who can distribute the ball to playmakers and grow into a leadership role without carrying the entire weight of the franchise on his shoulders from Day 1. If the Raiders do go all-in on Mendoza, they’re not just betting on talent-they’re betting on character, leadership, and the ability to grow into something bigger.
For now, the draft is still months away, and nothing is set in stone. But if Mendoza ends up in Vegas, it won’t just be because he’s the most talented quarterback in the class. It’ll be because he fits what the Raiders are trying to build: a team-first culture with a quarterback who gets it.