Fernando Mendoza, a rookie quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, prefers to spend every moment preparing for his first NFL training camp. He recently made headlines for skipping a visit to the White House with his Indiana teammates to prioritize practice sessions with the Raiders.
Mendoza voluntarily passed up an opportunity to visit President Donald Trump to celebrate Indiana’s national championship win. His commitment to his new team took precedence, reflecting the value he places on practice time.
Mendoza expressed his frustration when summoned away from practice to attend the NFL Players Association Rookie Premier event. “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,” Mendoza shared with Gilbert Manzano of SI.com.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Mendoza acknowledged the benefits of attending the event, albeit reluctantly at first. “I’m going to have a smile on my face and make the most of that present moment,” Mendoza said. He saw the value in understanding the NFLPA benefits, connecting with mentors, and gaining insights into his surroundings.
Mendoza, chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, is positioned as a backup to Kirk Cousins. The scenario may shift if Cousins falters, potentially offering Mendoza some game time during his rookie year. Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon weighed in, predicting Mendoza could enter the field by midseason. “I think [Mendoza will] be in there probably by the halfway point, [maybe] a little bit after,” Moon stated. He noted that sitting behind an experienced player like Cousins could be advantageous for Mendoza, allowing him time to develop without immediate pressure.
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