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5d ago

Tom Flores Blesses No. 15 as Raiders Map Patient Development for No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza

Las Vegas points to Kirk Cousins as the Week 1 starter to give the rookie time.

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (center) poses with jersey with general manager John Spytek (left) and head coach Klint Kubiak at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza greets fans at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • In a Friday report citing league executives, The Athletic was quoted as saying the Raiders expect Mendoza to sit early with veteran Kirk Cousins holding the job as he learns.
  • The team on Wednesday finalized rookie jersey numbers and confirmed Mendoza at No. 15 after he asked Hall of Famer Tom Flores for permission to wear the number.
  • Flores, the franchise’s first starting quarterback and a two-time Super Bowl–winning coach, publicly endorsed the choice in a nod to tradition for a club that does not retire numbers.
  • Mendoza reported to rookie minicamp Friday, beginning his transition into head coach Klint Kubiak’s system and the daily routine of the Raiders program.
  • The top pick arrives off Indiana’s 16-0 national title run with a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards and 48 total touchdowns, and he says leadership in Las Vegas must be earned.