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Raiders Draft Heisman MVP Mendoza, Pair with Cousins Mentor

5/1/2026

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Summary

Mendoza Drafted

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, a 2025 Heisman winner who led Indiana to a 16-0 season.
GM John Spytek said Mendoza’s April 1 day, where he called plays and hosted a steak-house dinner, proved his leadership.
The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins to mentor Mendoza, added Tyler Linderbaum and Jalen Nailor, and expect Mendoza will compete for starter after a 3-14 2025 season.

Summary

Mendoza Wears #15

Mendoza received Tom Flores’ blessing to wear No. 15, the number Flores wore as quarterback and coach.
Flores said Mendoza deserves the honor, calling him perfect and good-looking, a rare rookie endorsement.
The Raiders, which never retire numbers, made Mendoza the 11th player to wear No. 15.
Unlike the Browns’ denial of Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 request, the Raiders approved Mendoza’s historic number.

History

Historical Context

Ken Stabler joined the Raiders as a second-round pick in the 1968 draft, became the starter who led Oakland to an 8-4-2 division title in 1970 and a Super Bowl XI win in 1977. In 2026 the Las Vegas Raiders revived that quarterback-building tradition by drafting Heisman champion Fernando Mendoza with the No. 15 jersey formerly worn by Tom Flores.

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Mendoza Drafted

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, a 2025 Heisman winner who led Indiana to a 16-0 season.
GM John Spytek said Mendoza’s April 1 day, where he called plays and hosted a steak-house dinner, proved his leadership.
The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins to mentor Mendoza, added Tyler Linderbaum and Jalen Nailor, and expect Mendoza will compete for starter after a 3-14 2025 season.

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