Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Focuses on Practice Amid NFL Obligations

Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza prioritizes his training with the Las Vegas Raiders over other commitments as he prepares for his first NFL training camp.

Recently, Mendoza declined an invitation to join his Indiana teammates at the White House for a celebratory visit with President Donald Trump. The visit was to honor their national championship win. Mendoza opted to stay to avoid missing any Raiders practice sessions.

Despite this, the league required Mendoza to attend the NFL Players Association Rookie Premier event. He expressed his reluctance, saying, “I’m going to be completely honest with you — I’d rather be practicing right now and I was really upset about actually having to miss practice for this,” he shared with Gilbert Manzano of SI.com.

Nonetheless, Mendoza acknowledged the benefits of attending the event. “I’m going to have a smile on my face and make the most of that present moment,” he stated. He recognized the chance to learn about NFLPA benefits and forge connections with mentors, seeing it as an opportunity to understand his surroundings and maximize his impact.

Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 draft, is anticipated to start the season on the bench, backing up Kirk Cousins. Should Cousins falter or if the Raiders lose playoff contention early, Mendoza may gain important experience on the field as a rookie. Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon predicts Mendoza will start by season’s end, noting, “I think [Mendoza will] be in there probably by the halfway point.”

Moon further commented on the advantages of Mendoza being a backup initially, saying, “I think it’s good for him right off the bat to be behind somebody, he doesn’t have to be put out there to the wolves right away until he’s ready.” He trusts Kirk Cousins to keep the team competitive until Mendoza steps up.