The Las Vegas Raiders have been unlucky in recent seasons when it comes to their quarterback situation, but they have high hopes of changing that through the 2026 NFL Draft, where they landed the No. 1 overall pick. They selected Fernando Mendoza, and fans have reason to feel excited about the Indiana Hoosiers standout.
Mendoza was the undisputed No. 1 pick heading into Thursday’s draft event. He became the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy and collected nearly all major quarterback awards in the Big Ten. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten.
He has the credentials, but he knows the NFL is a different level.
"I'm just looking forward to getting to work and improving at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have had that career," he said in his first interview after being picked.
"But now I step into a great league, the NFL, and I look forward to proving myself and earning it every single day."
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mendoza was not in Pittsburgh for the draft ceremony, as he chose to stay home and await the announcement, although he still dressed up as if he were going to walk on stage. He decided to celebrate it with her wheelchair-bound mother who has always been his inspiration.
The work ahead of him might get a little easier—or maybe harder—as he now has one of the NFL’s greatest on his side. Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, who is also a part-owner of the Raiders, was among the first to congratulate Mendoza.
He didn’t just welcome Mendoza; he also sent a message to fans, expressing hope for a new and exciting season and saying that together, they will make the community proud.
"Hardwork, Resilience, Discipline, Accountability, Leadership, Teamwork. That's what this game is all about. LFG. Raider Nation will make you proud," Brady wrote in the caption in his Instagram story featuring an artwork of himself welcoming a "neophyte" Mendoza.
On X, he also welcomed their No. 1 pick and other draftees, telling Mendoza that it’s time to get to work.
The Raiders have yet to make the playoffs since the 2020 season. They haven't advanced past the wild-card round since the 2001 season.
Geno Smith was their quarterback last season, but his stint did not warrant a return, as he posted a league-high 17 interceptions and was sacked 55 times. The veteran QB is now with the New York Jets.
