Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Heavily Scouted By Las Vegas Raiders During National Championship
Subtlety has never exactly been the Las Vegas Raiders’ strong suit. So, when the Raiders’ brass showed up on the sidelines of the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Miami, nobody was fooled into thinking they were just there for the South Beach weather. They were there for Fernando Mendoza.
With the Raiders sitting pretty with the No. 1 overall pick, the writing isn’t just on the wall; it’s practically written in neon lights on the Las Vegas Strip. The target is Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And judging by the entourage on the field at Hard Rock Stadium, the courtship has officially begun.
Why Mendoza is the Only Name That Matters
If you’ve been paying attention to college football this year, you know why the Raiders are drooling. Mendoza didn’t just have a “good” season; he had the kind of season that gets statues built on campus. We’re talking about the Heisman Trophy winner who took Indiana to an undefeated record and a National Championship berth.
The numbers are video game stuff. Mendoza threw for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions. He completed 73% of his passes. He even added 6 rushing scores just to show off.
But here is the kicker that makes Mendoza a lock for Vegas: the competition vanished. When Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore decided to head back to school for another year, the draft board cleared out. There is no 1A and 1B conversation anymore. It’s Mendoza, and then a massive drop-off to the next tier of signal-callers.
The Raiders, desperate for a franchise savior since the Derek Carr breakup, don’t really have a choice here. But when the “forced” choice is a guy playing at this level, you take it and run.
The Tom Brady Factor
Tom Brady was spotted on the sideline wearing a silver hoodie with “Raiders” emblazoned across the chest. That sends a massive message. You have the greatest quarterback of all time, who now owns a piece of the team, standing next to the owner and the GM, scouting the kid who is supposed to be the next great quarterback.
But this also signals a shift in Vegas. Brady isn’t just a silent investor. If he’s on the field in Miami, he has a say in this pick. And if Brady signs off on Mendoza, that’s the ultimate seal of approval. It implies the Raiders are looking for a specific type of operator. Someone who can process within the structure, something Mendoza excels at.
Drafting a QB Without a Coach? Classic Raiders.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Raiders story without a little bit of dysfunction sprinkled on top. While the front office is locked in on Mendoza, they currently don’t have a head coach.
After firing Pete Carroll, the Raiders are actively interviewing candidates. They’ve talked to Mike McDaniel. They’re looking at Ejiro Evero. They have a whole list. But usually, you want the coach to fall in love with the quarterback, not the other way around.
It’s a bold strategy. It puts the cart firmly before the horse. But when the horse is a Heisman-winning thoroughbred like Mendoza, maybe you just buy the cart later.
The Bottom Line For Vegas
The Raiders have been wandering in the quarterback wilderness for years. Seeing Mark Davis and Brady standing shoulder-to-shoulder in Miami confirms that the reset button has been hit. They aren’t trading this pick. They aren’t getting cute. They are there to watch Mendoza try to cap off a historic season, and then they are going to hand him the keys to the franchise in April.
