Raiders “Cooling” On Fernando Mendoza? New Report Sparks Trade Rumors Involving 1st Overall Pick
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Fernando Mendoza has been looked at as the presumptive No. 1 overall draft pick for months. Once the Raiders secured the top pick, it was even more important, given their need for a franchise-changing player at the position.
As we move closer to the NFL Draft, things behind the scenes are starting to surface and take shape. The Indiana quarterback is projected to go No. 1, with one team asking him to be arrested, just so he falls to them.
Just when you thought the Raiders were sold on Mendoza, it appears their trail has gone cold. A report from ESPN on this week’s NFL Combine says that the Raiders have told people that they do not want to start Week 1 of the 2026 campaign with a rookie quarterback.
Despite what they feel, it does not mean that they are completely out on Fernando Mendoza. However, it now opens the door for other teams to make a move. Jets ESPN reporter Rich Cimini stated that the team will gauge whether the Raiders are interested in trading their top pick.
New York Jets GM Darren Mougey said the team will talk about it. ‘Absolutely, we’ll talk about all those things, but I don’t think that’s happening,’ Mougey said of a possible trade, according to ESPN.
The Jets hold the second and 16th pick in the first round of this year’s Draft. It remains to be seen if they make a play to obtain Mendoza.
Fernando Mendoza Sends Clear Message to Raiders’ Tom Brady
Most expect the Las Vegas Raiders will take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. Mendoza himself even believes he’s going to be the pick. He seemingly believes it’s just a matter of time until he gets some 1-on-1 time with Brady.
The standout QB sent a loud and clear message to the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“I was able to say a brief hi to Brady on the phone, so that was very special for me,” Mendoza told reporters. “And I look forward to meeting him in person one day and learn from him.”
He also gushed over Brady’s legendary career while raving about the opportunity to be mentored by him.
“I mean, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady, guys?” Mendoza continued.
“I mean, more Super Bowl rings than anybody. That opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin and to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much.
“And especially to learn, and I’m all about learning. So from day one, I got to learn a lot. It’s going to be a long journey. And to have — potentially — have a mentor like that, it’d be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.”
Mendoza broke out in 2025, throwing for 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, and just six interceptions on his way to the Heisman. He also won the National Championship.
