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Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza doing some media availability at the College Football Playoff.
The only way the New York Jets will realistically have a shot at Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza is if they trade up in the 2026 NFL draft.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah explained to Rich Eisen that’s what he expects the Jets to try and do.
“I think the Jets would effort with all the picks that they have accumulated to try and see if they could pry that pick away from the [Las Vegas] Raiders. The buzz down here amongst all the teams is that there is no chance that the Raiders would trade off of that pick,” Jeremiah said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
Rich cuts in and asks, “You think the Jets would trade up for Fernando Mendoza?”
Jeremiah responds, “Oh, I 100% think they would.”
Eisen says, “No kidding?”
“100%,” Jeremiah responds. “It’s irrelevant because they’re not going to pass up an opportunity to get Mendoza. I don’t think the Raiders would do that.”
Insider Explains What Jets Will Attempt to Do in More Detail
Eisen said, “So the Jets are going to try, and it’s not going to… because I honestly thought that the Jets getting picks in next year’s draft is when they’re going to be targeting their quarterback, and that may happen anyway. But you’re saying that it won’t be for a lack of trying to have the Raiders move off of Mendoza?”
“Yeah, I mean, this is just kind of the buzz down here. I’m not saying the Jets would trade all of their picks that they have accumulated, but they’re this close to being able to get a guy that they would try and make an effort to do that, but it would be a moot point because [the Raiders] are not going to move off of it. The Raiders seem to be pretty in love with Fernando Mendoza,” Jeremiah explained on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
The Jets Absolutely Have to Make the Call
General manager Darren Mougey isn’t doing his job if he doesn’t call Las Vegas about the No. 1 overall pick.
“I don’t see it happening. I do think they make the call, and they probably already have and will continue to do so. They will offer the kitchen sink and everything, and your mother. You are not going to end up with Fernando Mendoza unless something shocking happens,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic explained on “Jets Final Drive.”
The Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick, which is a valuable asset. However, in a draft that appears to be a one-horse quarterback race, the Jets appear to be holding the bag.
It’s an unfortunate reality to deal with after an excruciating 3-14 campaign that is among the worst in team history.
The Jets have more ammunition than any other team in the NFL over the next two years. Gang Green is armed with five first-round draft choices and three second-round picks.
That gives the team a golden opportunity to dig themselves out of the hole they reside in. The No. 1 goal of those assets is to transform them somehow, someway into a franchise quarterback.
The Jets will attempt to pull off a miracle with the Raiders, but that appears less and less likely the closer we get to the draft.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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