Fernando Mendoza sounds exactly like what the Raiders GM wants at QB

If there is a common theme to NFL mock drafts right now, it is this:

The Las Vegas Raiders are selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first-overall selection.

A perfect storm has taken shape at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft: The Raiders need a quarterback, by all lines of analysis this is a weaker than usual quarterback draft class, and Mendoza is coming off a dream season, where he led Indiana to its first national championship while securing the Heisman Trophy.

And speaking with the media on Tuesday in Indianapolis, Raiders general manager John Spytek certainly made it seem like Mendoza it the type of player they are looking for.

During his media session Tuesday, Spytek was asked what a franchise quarterback looks like. His answer certainly sounds like a description of Mendoza’s final year at Indiana.

“Well, a leader, tough as hell, somebody that loves to play football, maniacal preparer. Obviously, somebody that can throw the ball well, but I think just somebody that loves the game and will give everything [to] their teammate, a selfless person, somebody that’s going to give their team everything that they got every time that they’re out there, prepare the right way, lead the right way,” described Spytek. “I think there’s a great humility and selflessness required to play that position at a high level.”

Mendoza’s toughness in and around the pocket is one of his best traits, and an aspect of his game that showed up on film over and over again. His willingness to take a hit — to give everything to his teammates — is something that the quarterback himself discussed over the past season.

For example, early in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State Mendoza took a big hit, but bounced back to deliver a win:

Speaking after that game, Mendoza had this to say. “It was like I got hit by a freight train with no brakes,” Mendoza said with a laugh on the Pat McAfee Show.

“He cracked me, like bad,” Mendoza said. “It was tough, to that point I didn’t even see him, and it was like I got hit by a freight train with no brakes and I’m on the floor, did I break a rib or something? I realized the air had got knocked out.”

Mendoza has emphasized that toughness throughout the year. Speaking after Indiana’s comeback win over Penn State, he talked about how he would “die on that field for my brothers.”

He also knows that toughness will matter at the next level.

“I’m all for playing football, playing rough and dirty, like here we go, let’s get the pads going,” Mendoza said of the hit in the Big Ten Championship Game on the Pat McAfee Show. “I know the NFL is going more toward an offensive game, however as a quarterback and competitor, I’m all for competing and that was a great shot and hit.”

If you needed another example, there was this season-defining moment in the title game against Miami:

Once more, with a championship at stake, Mendoza puts his body on the line for his teammates.

After the win, both head coach Curt Cignetti as well as Mendoza talked about that play.

“Let me tell you, Fernando, I know he’s great in interviews and comes off as the All-American guy, but he has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition. That guy competes like a warrior. He got really smacked a few times in this game. That one drive we kicked a field goal, there should have been two roughing the quarterbacks and one high hit to the head that weren’t called. I’m all for letting them play, but when they cross the line you’ve got to call them,” added Cignetti.

“Can’t say enough about his effort on that play and our team finding a way to get it done.”

Mendoza talked about putting his body on the line for his brothers.

“At that point I took the drop. It wasn’t the perfect coverage for it, but I trust my linemen, and everybody in that entire offense, that entire team had a gritty performance today. And we were all putting our bodies on the line, so it was the least I could do for my brothers,” began Mendoza.

“Yeah, I think everybody on the team including Coach makes fun of my running style. But as long as it gets the job done, it’s 4th down, so no matter how you run, no matter what it is, you’ve got to put it all on the line, and that’s something I was willing to do,” continued the Indiana quarterback.

It seems as if Spytek was watching as well.