Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza said he has a “long way to go” in his adjustment to playing under center. He took only 3% of his snaps under center at Indiana last season, per ESPN.

The Raiders selected QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza opened his college career at Cal where he ascended from the No. 3 QB to starter in 2023, completing 63% of his passes for the season, with 1,708 yards, 14 TDs, and 10 INTs. He also ran for 98 yards and 2 TDs. He flashed NFL upside in 2023 as the starter despite taking 41 sacks, second most in the FBS. Mendoza transferred to Indiana over his hometown Miami Hurricanes, joining a program that entered 2025 chasing a title after a first-round playoff loss in 2024. Mendoza finished with 3,535 passing yards, 41 TDs, and 6 INTs for the season, adding 276 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. He won the Heisman and led the Hoosiers to a national championship. Mendoza ranked second among Combine QBs in adjusted completion percentage in 2025 (79%).

QB Kirk Cousins agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders per his agent. With only QB Aidan O'Connell currently on the roster, the Raiders plan to draft QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. But, HC Klint Kubiak expressed interest in signing a veteran QB to not force Mendoza into the lineup for Week 1. Kubiak coached Cousins for three seasons in Minnesota, so the fit should be easy into Kubiak's offense. Cousins appears to be the perfect fit to start the season and let Mendoza ease into the NFL. Cousins should be the favorite to start Week 1.

The Raiders and C Tyler Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed on the first day of free agency. It makes Linderbaum the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history. His $27 million average annual salary is $9 million more than any other center.

The Raiders plan to release QB Geno Smith at the start of the new league year next week, according to multiple reports. Vegas tried to find a trade partner but unsurprisingly found no suitors. Smith was set to count $40 million against the 2026 cap. His release will save the Raiders $8 million.

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak intends to work on a deal to become the Raiders’ next head coach after the Super Bowl. Kubiak was the OC for the Saints before heading to the Seahawks. He will now inherit an offense with key young weapons in RB Ashton Jeanty, TE Brock Bowers, and likely QB Fernando Mendoza as the top pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.