Las Vegas Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza lauded by Hall of Famer Tim Brown

Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown told The Jim Rome Show that the Las Vegas Raiders have had “the best offseason since I was drafted” in 1988. He praised General Manager John Spytek’s acquisitions and said the team’s new pieces give them a good chance to win critical games. Regarding quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Brown said the rookie “turns into a dog between the numbers” and will be “dynamic” when given the opportunity, endorsing a plan to start veteran Kirk Cousins and ease Mendoza in.

A separate analysis by Bleacher Report projected Mendoza as a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but experts noted that he is currently unlikely to start Week 1. With established veterans performing well and Mendoza still developing under center, the realistic expectation is that he will begin the season as a backup before earning playing time later in the year.