Since late December, stories have linked a Las Vegas Raiders staff that would make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the primary total decide of the 2026 NFL Draft with star Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson.
Such chatter has led to hypothesis that these operating the Ravens could not need to signal Jackson to an costly contract extension this offseason. However, it seems the Raiders have already made their alternative between the 2 quarterbacks.
Tom Brady has made Fernando Mendoza, Lamar Jackson alternative?
“The Las Vegas Raiders are decided to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the primary total decide, rebuffing all commerce affords,” NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported on Wednesday. “The staff sees Mendoza as the highest prospect and plans to pair him with rookie head coach Klint Kubiak. Different groups are conscious that the Raiders haven’t any intention of giving up the decide, as securing a franchise quarterback is a high precedence for brand spanking new minority proprietor Tom Brady.”
For an article posted on Monday, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner wrote that Mendoza is seen as a “uncommon QB prospect who’s mentally and bodily powerful sufficient to deal with the ups and downs that may include beginning on a foul staff, whereas additionally being the centerpiece as that staff grows from younger to polished.” In the meantime, Jackson is coming off a down season that featured the two-time Most Precious Participant being limited to 13 begins as a consequence of bodily setbacks.
That mentioned, some beforehand puzzled if Brady would like to have a confirmed commodity comparable to Jackson over a to-be-tested rookie comparable to Mendoza. It appears like Brady has no considerations about what Mendoza shall be as a professional.
Will Fernando Mendoza be Raiders’ Joe Burrow?
“You aren’t getting that decide from Brady,” one unnamed common supervisor instructed La Canfora. “It’s not on the market. Mendoza is their man. It’s like when (Bengals proprietor) Mike Brown had the primary decide and (Joe) Burrow was popping out. They weren’t going to maneuver that decide. Similar factor right here.”
A special common supervisor urged that it might take no less than three first-round draft picks to persuade the Raiders to commerce what’s going to doubtless turn out to be the Mendoza choice.
“Different entrance workplaces are already beginning to function as if Mendoza, who gained the Heisman Trophy because the nation’s high faculty participant, is off the desk,” La Canfora added.
As for Jackson, questions on his long-term future will hover over the Ravens till the 2 sides announce that they’ve come to phrases on an extension.
