Since late December, stories have linked a Las Vegas Raiders crew that would make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the primary general 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 wish to signal Jackson to an costly contract extension this offseason. Nonetheless, 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 general decide, rebuffing all commerce provides,” NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported on Wednesday. “The crew sees Mendoza as the highest prospect and plans to pair him with rookie head coach Klint Kubiak. Different groups are conscious that the Raiders don’t have any intention of giving up the decide, as securing a franchise quarterback is a prime 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 robust sufficient to deal with the ups and downs that may include beginning on a foul crew, whereas additionally being the centerpiece as that crew 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 because of bodily setbacks.
That mentioned, some beforehand puzzled if Brady would like to have a confirmed commodity akin to Jackson over a to-be-tested rookie akin to Mendoza. It feels like Brady has no issues about what Mendoza will likely be as a professional.
Will Fernando Mendoza be Raiders’ Joe Burrow?
“You aren’t getting that decide from Brady,” one unnamed normal supervisor advised 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 unique normal supervisor steered that it may take not less than three first-round draft picks to persuade the Raiders to commerce what is going to possible change into the Mendoza choice.
“Different entrance places of work are already beginning to function as if Mendoza, who received the Heisman Trophy because the nation’s prime school 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.
