The Las Vegas Raiders have slowly revamped their team from last season to be more competitive. Furthermore, they are laying the foundation to at least give their potential QB a chance to succeed. Now, who that will be remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, all signs point to the Silver and Black taking former Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. The Raiders have started overhauling their offensive line with the arrival of Tyler Linderbaum and bolstering their weapons with the signing of Jalen Nailor.
With the draft drawing closer, former Raiders QB Rich Gannon shared his thoughts on the franchise selecting Mendoza and the traits he values in the player that will help him be the franchise signal caller in Las Vegas.
“[Mendoza] came on my radio show at the Super Bowl, and there’s one thing that you get an impression of a player and a person,” Gannon told Raiders host Amber Theoharis in a March 16 video from the team’s YouTube channel. “He’s got presence about him. That’s pretty impressive.
“He’s very thoughtful [and] very mature; he doesn’t give you canned answers. He’s got a ton of energy and passion; he loves football [and] wants to learn. I think he’s got a lot of the qualities and intangibles that you really love with that position.”
Fernando Mendoza Has Leadership Traits to Lead Raiders
Moreover, even if Mendoza plays as a rookie, Gannon believes that, despite the player’s inexperience, he won’t have trouble being a leader from Day 1 when he plays his first NFL game.
“I think leadership and toughness are two that just jump off the page,” Gannon added. “There’s a certain set of skills that are required to play the position. When I’m asked what some of the most important characteristics are that you look for in a quarterback, to me, it’s the leadership and the physical and mental toughness.”
Mendoza had a passer rating of 182.9 with 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 16 games in 2025, per StatMuse, leading to a Heisman Trophy and national title for the Hoosiers.
Derek Carr Ready to Mentor Fernando Mendoza
Meanwhile, another former Raiders QB recently spoke about Mendoza. Derek Carr noted that he’s willing to help mentor the young QB if the team decides to reach out to him as he can provide all the details required to be the starting signal-caller for the Silver and Black.
“I have told my agent, I’ve told people, I was like, ‘Man, if they ever want me to come out there and help him in any way,'” Carr said on March 11 on AM 570 LA Sports. “Now, they have so many great coaches, and Tom’s there and all those things.
“But I do know that building. I do know our fan base. I do know what it means to be a Raider. If that’s something that Mr. [Mark] Davis wanted, and [head coach Klint Kubiak] and those guys, just to spend some time with him and show him what it’s like to be a pro.
“I tell people I’m the most upgraded version of the iPhone. I just got out of it, so I get it. I’ve seen the coverages. I know these things. If that’s something they would like, if that’s something that gives him some value, I would absolutely be willing to help him in any way.”
Ex-Raiders QB Rich Gannon Drops True Feelings on Fernando Mendoza