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Fernando Mendoza didn’t have much to prove at Indiana\u2019s pro day on Wednesday, but he still showed up. The quarterback showed why he remains the frontrunner to be drafted at No. 1 by the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n
After opting out of throwing at the NFL combine in February, Mendoza used the pro day as his opportunity to showcase his arm talent. He highlighted after the session that his focus on his long-term goal of excelling at the professional level.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n “My goal is to be the best quarterback in September, at the start of the NFL season, rather than being the best quarterback today, April 1st, for the Pro Day,” Mendoza said on “SportsCenter.” “Pro Day\u2019s great. Wanna showcase my guys. But all my focus is on September.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor<\/a> for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n His comments sparked mixed reactions from NFL fans on X.<\/p>\n “He\u2019s the future,” one fan said<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “His most underrated weapon is his mentality, which is why he’s gonna be so great. excited to watch him play,” a fan tweeted<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “Everyone says the right things during an interview, but can he actually deliver?” another fan said<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “They all talk like that until the lights come on,” one fan wrote<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “The most obvious bust, he talks too much,” a fan commented<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “No doubt this kid can play, but is he a #1 pick you can build your franchise around?” another fan wrote<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Mendoza made history with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025, leading the program to its first national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns while completing 72% of his passes. Mendoza also contributed on the ground, adding 276 rushing yards and seven scores.<\/p>\n Even though the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> are expected to select Fernando Mendoza<\/a> at No. 1 on April 23, the team appears intent on easing his transition to the professional level. The Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on Thursday to give the franchise a reliable option while Mendoza adjusts to the NFL.<\/p>\n While the move raises questions about who will start in Week 1, having a seasoned quarterback could provide Mendoza with mentorship and a blueprint for success. Cousins may stand in the way of Mendoza starting immediately in 2026, but the veteran also serves as a bridge for his development.<\/p>\n He helped the Atlanta Falcons to a 5-3 record when he stepped in midway through the 2025 season. He completed 62% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. With 298 career touchdowns and only 300 passing yards short of 45,000, Cousins brings a lot of experience to the table.<\/p>\n He’ll also reunite with Klint Kubiak. The Raiders coach previously served as his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019 to 2021.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
How Kirk Cousins\u2019 signing impacts Fernando Mendoza\u2019s role as a rookie with the Raiders<\/h2>\n