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At his Raiders introduction, Fernando Mendoza says 'I still need to earn it'

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The Athletic
2026/04/24 - 23:31 504 مشاهدة
AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesRound 1 GradesPicks TrackerBest AvailableThe BeastTop 300 Rankings2026 NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza was introduced in Las Vegas on Friday. Ethan Miller / Getty Images Share article1LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak touted the skills of his new quarterback Fernando Mendoza as he helped introduce the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday afternoon. Athleticism, accuracy and football knowledge were all listed. But Mendoza’s traits aren’t what stood out most for Kubiak. It was something more intangible, a quality that’s rare to come by. “Obviously, the No. 1 thing that jumped out with Fernando was his leadership, the way he relates with his teammates and his ability to win,” Kubiak said Friday. “We’re looking for a competitor to be our quarterback. … At the end of the day, he’s a bright, intelligent leader.” Kubiak felt that leadership at Indiana’s pro day earlier this month, his first in-depth interaction with Mendoza. He watched as the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion “bossed his teammates around,” instructing them in fine detail as to how he wanted them to perform. Kubiak said he left Bloomington feeling confident about his quarterback of the future. “I really liked how he played the game on film, but seeing him in person was really helpful and allowed us to watch film on a lot of other guys,” Kubiak said. “We knew we had the guy.” However, Mendoza didn’t feel he possessed the same authority as he arrived at the team’s Henderson headquarters on Friday. He said he enters the NFL “at the bottom of the totem pole” despite being the surefire top selection and touting an impressive collegiate career. “It’s a huge blessing, but I feel like I still need to earn it,” Mendoza said of being the No. 1 pick. “I haven’t proved anything… So I’m looking forward to proving it every single day to everyone in the building.” Proving himself is something Mendoza did consistently throughout his amateur career. Lightly recruited out of high school, he won the starting job at Cal over players with a higher pedigree. He went on to have one of the most impressive seasons in recent memory for Indiana, leading them to a 16-0 season and the Hoosiers’ first national title. Mendoza said his college experience taught him humility, and that’s what has led him to his success. “I think it’s the ability to be coached, always come with a low ego and be open with the coaching,” Mendoza said of what he learned from his journey. “Coming to Indiana, I really had so much more to learn. I always want to have exponential growth every single year. That is made by the process, the work ethic going into everything I do every single day.” Mendoza said he has “so much more to grow” and believes that his best football is ahead of him. That encompasses his on-field performance and off-field presence. Mendoza said his draft position doesn’t come with influential status as he joins the Raiders organization. Rather, he’ll have to prove himself beyond just his play. “I believe that leadership is earned, not given,” Mendoza said. “And so I look forward to learning from all the fantastic people in this organization, and hopefully I’ll become a good leader.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms
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