The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 season has been rough-no sugarcoating it. With a 2-11 record and officially out of playoff contention before December even rolled around, the franchise is staring down a long offseason. But with that kind of disappointment comes opportunity, and the silver lining here might just be a shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That potential top pick? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a rising star who’s captured attention not just with his play, but with his personality-and apparently, he's already got a fan in Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
"It sounds so beautiful! ... The Hoosiers are flippin champs!" 🔥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 7, 2025
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza after leading the Hoosiers to the Big Ten Championship 🏆pic.twitter.com/o8iBCGkhFZ
Crosby, speaking on his show The Rush with Maxx Crosby, couldn’t help but rave about Mendoza after the QB led Indiana to a stunning Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State. But it wasn’t just Mendoza’s on-field performance that stood out. It was his postgame interview-one that quickly went viral for all the right reasons.
“That quarterback, that might’ve been the funniest interview of all time,” Crosby said, laughing. “I’m not going to lie, bro, I was in tears. I’ve become-I’m a fan of him now.”
Crosby even compared Mendoza’s infectious energy to another famously animated signal-caller: “He gave me big Jameis Winston vibes for sure. He’s a baller, he’s going to win the Heisman now.”
Mendoza, a Heisman finalist, was clearly overwhelmed in the moment after the Hoosiers’ massive win, voice cracking as he tried to put the experience into words. It was raw, it was real, and it showed a level of passion that fans-and apparently Crosby-can’t help but gravitate toward.
Now, let’s be clear: there’s a lot of football and front-office maneuvering between now and April. But Mendoza is currently projected as the top pick in most mock drafts, and if the Raiders land that selection, they’ll be in prime position to reset their quarterback room-something that feels inevitable after this season.
The Raiders’ QB situation has been in flux all year. Geno Smith, brought in to stabilize the position, has struggled and is now sidelined with shoulder and back injuries. That’s opened the door for Kenny Pickett, who came over via trade and is set to make his first start for Las Vegas this Sunday.
Pickett’s audition could be short-lived, though. With the team spiraling and a rebuild looming, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders not targeting a quarterback with their first pick-especially one as dynamic and charismatic as Mendoza.
And then there’s the question of leadership. Head coach Pete Carroll, brought in for what many saw as a culture reset, might not be long for the job.
Could he really be one-and-done in Vegas? That remains to be seen, but it adds another layer of uncertainty to a franchise clearly on the verge of major changes.
For now, all eyes are on the draft board-and on Mendoza, who’s gone from college standout to potential face of a franchise in just a few months. If the Raiders are indeed holding that No. 1 pick come April, don’t be surprised if Maxx Crosby gets his wish and Mendoza ends up in silver and black.