The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t on the clock just yet, but it sounds like Fernando Mendoza will be their quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Mendoza appeared on NBC’s “TODAY” this Friday to discuss his incredible season with the Indiana Hoosiers as well as his future in the NFL. Every analyst who covers this sport expects him to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders.
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As Mendoza was chatting with NBC’s Craig Melvin, network co-host and Raiders fan Carson Daly interrupted the interview to wish the Heisman Trophy winner all the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.
“Should you end up with us, I’m sorry,” Daly said. “If you can win more than three games, you’re a hero. You’ve got [Ashton] Jeanty. You’ve got [Brock] Bowers. We’re going to get an O-line for ya. Should that be the place you land, we’ll take care of you.”
Mendoza’s response to Daly’s comments was quite interesting. He mentioned how the Raiders have a “great” coaching staff.
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“The Raiders have a great culture, have a great coaching staff, great ownership group. It’s all around,” Mendoza said. “Those are legit guys. I’d be happy to end anywhere.”
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) gets loose before the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
(© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.)
The Raiders don’t currently have a head coach. NFL fans are convinced Mendoza already knows who it’ll be.
“Great coaching staff? What does he know,” a fan commented.
“What does he mean by great coaching staff,” a second fan asked.
“He knows something we don’t Raider Nation. Our next head coach is in the playoffs guys,” another fan said.
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Who will get the job in Las Vegas?
The Raiders have already interviewed a handful of candidates, including former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Although there’s no guarantee a deal will materialize, Kubiak seems to be the odds-on favorite to coach the Raiders in 2026.
All we know for certain is the next head coach of the Raiders will have a potential-packed quarterback under center.
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This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.