Fernando Mendoza’s first Raiders news conference Friday afternoon sounded like a quarterback who already knows the quickest way to lose a locker room in Las Vegas.
Talk like you’ve arrived.
So he didn’t. Mendoza kept returning to the same theme after the Raiders selected him No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft: the pick is an honor, but the job still has to be earned.
“I still need to earn it, and I haven’t proved anything,” Mendoza said. “In the NFL, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole again.”
John Spytek backed that up from the top of the organization. The Raiders general manager said Mendoza was not treated like a coronation during the evaluation process.
“To arrive to this selection of Fernando was not a coronation,” Spytek said. “He earned it every bit of the way.”
No more noise, just work
Mendoza said the buildup to No. 1 came with plenty of outside chatter. Now he wants the talking to stop.
“I’m really glad that all the outside noise is done,” he said. “I’m officially a Raider. I’m excited to be humble and hungry and get to work.”
That mindset showed up in smaller moments too, including him laughing about missing a high-five with his brother during the celebration. Mendoza said they had “two post celebrations” and he made it right later with “a dab and a hug.”
A QB who prepped for September, not the combine
Mendoza said he trained with former NFL quarterback Brian Griese ahead of the draft because he wanted the work to translate past pro day throws.
“I needed some guidance on how to become the best NFL quarterback, not just for a pro day or the combine,” Mendoza said. “For September or whenever it is, October, December, to be an NFL quarterback.”
Mendoza said they worked under-center concepts and basic “bread-and-butter” plays, the kind of foundation that shows up in any NFL offense. He also said Griese gave him adjustments based on his experience coaching quarterbacks.
Kubiak: leadership first, then everything else
Klint Kubiak did not sell a scheme. He sold traits.
“The number one thing that I love about Fernando is his leadership, the way that he relates to his teammates and his ability to win,” Kubiak said. “We’re looking for a competitor to be our quarterback.”
Kubiak also praised Mendoza’s athleticism and accuracy down the field, but he kept returning to the same core: Mendoza is a “bright, intelligent leader.”
Later, Kubiak said the pro day cemented it. He described Mendoza taking command of the session, directing teammates on routes, then carrying that same control into the meeting room.
“He bossed his teammates around, told them what route they were running, and how accurately he threw the ball,” Kubiak said. “We knew we had the guy.”
Cousins, Crosby, and the first wave of texts
Mendoza said the first hours after the pick included a flood of messages from inside the building. He said he heard from Maxx Crosby, Tyler Linderbaum, Kolton Miller, and Kirk Cousins, among others.
Mendoza called Cousins’ message “really nice” and said he looks forward to working with him and learning from him.
Legacy on the walls, pressure on the jersey
With Raiders legends in the room and Lombardi Trophies in view, Mendoza said he felt both honor and responsibility.
“It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also a huge honor to honor the legacy,” he said.
Mendoza also brought up the possibility of wearing No. 15 and referenced Tom Flores, who wore the number as a player before winning two Super Bowls as the Raiders head coach. Mendoza did not confirm a number, but he acknowledged what it would represent in this franchise.
A Cuban American QB who wants to carry the torch
Mendoza spoke directly about the Raiders’ Hispanic history and said it means a lot as a Cuban American to join an organization with that legacy. He referenced Raiders figures such as Jim Plunkett and Tom Flores and said he looks forward to connecting with the Hispanic community in Las Vegas.
He also said he is working to sharpen his Spanish, noting it was his first language and that culture is central to his identity.
Giving back, and the Mendoza Family Fund
Mendoza said his family has started the Mendoza Family Fund. He described giving back and supporting the fight against MS as part of his identity. He credited his mother, who was in the room. He said the cause is important to his family.
Asked about a pivotal moment in his journey, Mendoza pointed to the end of his time at Cal. He said his mother pushed him to take a swing and challenge himself in an uncomfortable environment. He credited her for urging him to bet on his own ceiling.
What Raider Nation should take from Day 1
The Raiders did not introduce a savior. They introduced a quarterback who talked like a rookie, and a staff that emphasized earning everything.
Mendoza’s message stayed consistent from start to finish: proud, grateful, and aware that being the No. 1 pick is not the finish line.
“At the end of the day, it’s all great saying these words,” he said. “But I got to do it.”
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
