Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Balances Commitment to Raiders with NFL Obligations

Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is keen to stay involved with the Las Vegas Raiders as he prepares for his first NFL training camp. Mendoza recently declined an invitation to visit the White House with his Indiana teammates, opting to skip a meeting with President Donald Trump. His decision was driven by a desire not to miss any practice sessions with the Raiders.

Mendoza expressed frustration when required to attend the NFL Players Association Rookie Premier event, stating, “I’d rather be practicing right now and I was really upset about actually having to miss practice for this,” during an interview with Gilbert Manzano of SI.com. Despite his initial reluctance, Mendoza acknowledged the value of participating in the event for rookies.

“I’m going to have a smile on my face and make the most of that present moment,” said Mendoza. “Learn all the [NFLPA] benefits, make connections with different mentors here, and maximize my time to create a positive impact.” These insights reflect Mendoza’s openness to growth and networking, even as he remained focused on his football responsibilities.

As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Mendoza is expected to start the season as a backup to Kirk Cousins. However, Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon predicts that Mendoza might take on the starting role by the season’s end. Speaking about Mendoza’s potential, Moon said, “I think [Mendoza will] be in there probably by the halfway point, [maybe] a little bit after.” He emphasized the advantage of having Mendoza learn from an experienced player like Cousins initially, who is expected to keep the Raiders competitive until Mendoza is ready to step up.