The Las Vegas Raiders have their new head coach in Klint Kubiak. Now the next step will be to find their QB, and they have an opportunity to select one with the No. 1 overall pick in former Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza.
Although Kubiak and Raiders general manager John Spytek didn’t get into specifics when asked about Mendoza, it doesn’t mean other franchise greats didn’t share their take on what the Silver and Black should do with the top pick.
Former Raiders QB Rich Gannon didn’t hold back on his thoughts regarding Mendoza should Las Vegas decide he’s their franchise signal-caller.
“I still think it’s early in the process,” Gannon told reporters on Feb. 10 (h/t Vegas Sports Today). “I mean, there’s a lot to like there when you look at his body of work. He’s got a lot of the qualities and tangibles you love with that position: Toughness, accuracy, competitiveness and leadership skills.
“It’s just a matter of sorting through all the tape, just like these guys are going to do, and really trying to figure out who’s the best player for the Raiders in 2026.”
It will be interesting to see what the Raiders do with the top pick, but picking Mendoza and focusing on the offensive line via free agency would be the ideal way to go. Nonetheless, they have a couple of months to figure out what direction to go.
Raiders Should Be Patient If They Select Fernando Mendoza
Moreover, Gannon also spoke on the Raiders’ broadcast after the Kubiak press conference and noted that if Las Vegas does select Mendoza, he supports the idea of letting the young QB sit and watch until he’s ready.
“That’s the ideal situation,” Gannon said. “I know with Aaron [Rodgers], he was not happy sitting for three years, but as it turned out, it was a pretty good deal for him.
“Nobody who comes from the college game is ready to play right away. There’s nobody. There’s so much of a learning curve, and so if you can go somewhere and have a veteran quarterback, get a chance to play, get your feet wet.”
Kirk Cousins Talks Fernando Mendoza
With the draft evaluation process already underway, many will ask what NFL comp will Mendoza get from those who have followed him closely during the 2025 college football season, to those who just watched his College Football Playoff run to the national title.
Atlanta Falcons veteran QB Kirk Cousins said he sees his game in Mendoza when speaking to Yahoo! Sports on Feb. 6.
“My wife told me that there’s a lot out there about how we’re similar look, similar style, play, [and] similar vibe,” Cousins said. “I can see it; I can see the look. I can see the style play. He seems like a cerebral guy and pretty analytical, and certainly, I think of myself in that same vein.
“So I didn’t get to go No. 1 overall, which he probably will. So that’s where the differences start to show up. But I’m sure he’s got a great career ahead of him.”
Ex‑Raiders QB Rich Gannon Gets Blunt on Fernando Mendoza