Fernando Mendoza is certain to be the No. 1 overall pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, and he is already getting ahead of schedule on learning some things about his new team.
In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah revealed that Mendoza has been working with former NFL quarterback and ex-49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese to learn the Raiders’ offense.
“Fernando Mendoza’s working with Brian Griese right now,” Jeremiah said. “It’s not so much that they’re working on footwork. They’re installing the Raiders’ offense. He’s full speed ahead.”
"Installing the RAIDERS offense… He's full speed ahead."
— Murf 🏴☠️ (@_Murf) March 27, 2026
Yea, he's gonna start week one. 😤🏴☠️#RaiderNation @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/xT0dRAqu0b
Jeremiah noted there is precedent for this, as Joe Burrow did something similar in 2020 when the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him first overall.
There has never been much doubt that Mendoza will be the Raiders’ pick at No. 1 overall. They even seem to have hired a quarterbacks coach with the Indiana quarterback in mind.
Reports have indicated that the Raiders do not plan to start Mendoza in Week 1, and might pursue a veteran to hold down the fort for him. That may be the case, but Mendoza already learning the offense might give them something to think about.
