The Las Vegas Raiders stuck to their playbook by selecting QB Fernando Mendoza, who's "ecstatic" to be Las Vegas-bound.
The Las Vegas Raiders did the right thing last night when they selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick of the 2026 draft, and Mendoza proceeded to say all the right things.
"What a great organization, great legacy," Mendoza said in a report written by Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "There's so many teammates I'm looking forward to talking to -- coaches, owners. I'm ecstatic for the opportunity."
It’s easy to be cynical about this selection given the Raiders recent history, but this was a night for celebration and accolades. The Raiders made a solid coaching hire when they replaced Pete Carroll with Klint Kubiak, and last night they did the obvious and chose the best quarterback in what’s essentially a one-quarterback draft.
"Whatever team was going to select me would be a good fit, but deep down, in my heart I knew the Raiders are most likely going to be the best fit because of the coaching staff," Mendoza said. "I think it really fits my play style great."
The Raiders are doing a complete reset, and the idea is to match a good quarterback with the tools to win and develop with an offensive coordinator who’s already been through that process. Las Vegas has been all over the map when it comes to trying different ways to win, but this approach is much more focused.
"It's a great scheme fit for us," Raiders general manager John Spytek said of Mendoza. "He's big. He can see downfield. He can see over the middle of the field. He can throw those balls. He's athletic, so all the boots and the keepers that we like to run, he'll do well with. He has a good arm. He can throw the ball all over the field wherever it needs to be, and he's extremely accurate, which, whatever system you play in as a quarterback, is important."
According to reports, Mendoza has already gotten a jump on the development process. He’s been learning the Raiders offense under the tutelage of former NFL quarterback Brian Griese, who’s very familiar with that Kubiak wants.
"I'm just looking forward to get to work, prove it at the next level," Mendoza told ESPN. "College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career. But now I step into a great game in the NFL. Look forward to proving it and earning it every single day."
Mendoza will also have a QB mentor who knows how this process works. The Raiders recently signed Kirk Cousins, so they don’t have to start Mendoza right away. Cousins will likely start in Week 1, but Mendoza will be expected to step in and lead the team right away.