Derek Carr reveals Fernando Mendoza promise after being linked with shock Raiders return

Mar 22, 2026 - 10:00

Fernando Mendoza is more than likely headed to the Las Vegas Raiders.

But the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will walk into a quarterback room that has very little experience.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. — The Raiders’ goal is evidently clear, they are not willing to throw Mendoza straight into action

As it stands, only Aidan O’Connell is contracted to the team, who has made just 21 appearances in the NFL since entering the league in 2023.

Geno Smith was traded to the New York Jets following a tumultuous campaign in which he led the league in interceptions (17) and was ultimately one-and-done despite having penned a two-year, $75 million extension just one calendar year ago.

Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett has also departed from the team, opting to sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

It doesn’t appear as though new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was poached from the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, wants to throw Mendoza into the starting lineup right away.

The Raiders are likely to be very march in the market for a veteran signal caller that could simultaneously serve as a mentor to the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, as well as offer some fierce competition for the starting role.

Kirk Cousins is one veteran name whose name has come up in some conversations around the league, with the 37-year-old yet to find a new home after being released by the Atlanta Falcons at the start of the new league year.

Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who left the NFL in 2025 after two seasons under center for the New Orleans Saints, has also emerged as a potential candidate with rumors swirling that he is seeking to come out of retirement.

On a recent episode of the ‘Home Grown with Derek and David Carr’ podcast, Carr – who spent nine seasons as QB1 of the Raiders – is hopeful that the Indiana Hoosiers national champion can go on and break all his Raider records, and even reaffirmed his desire to help Mendoza.

“I hope Fernando Mendoza breaks every Raider record,” Derek said on Thursday’s episode of the podcast. “And as a former quarterback, if you feel any other way, there’s something wrong with you.”

“And so when we say that, we genuinely mean it. And if you’re not in that mode, then you’ve got to check yourself,” his brother David added.

Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders points to the crowd after the Raiders beat Los Angeles Chargers 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium on December 04, 2022 — The retired Carr has recently been touted for an NFL return and has vowed to help Mendoza in any way that he can

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers — Mendoza spearheaded the Hoosiers to an unlikely National Championship

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“Why would you not want the next generation to do better than you?” Derek then questioned. “I want the best for everybody.”

“And you’ve already said you’ll do anything you can to help the kid,” David said.

“I will,” Derek confirmed.

Should Carr decide to come out of retirement, joining the Raiders would not be a forgone conclusion, though, with the Saints still holding his rights.

But now fully healthy after having dealt with a shoulder injury late in his career, as well as knowing the Raiders organization inside and out, he the 34-year-old would certainly be a welcome addition to the new-look locker room.

Jalen Nailor excited about the prospect of playing with Mendoza

With the most cap space in the NFL for the 2026 season, the Raiders went on a spending spree to begin free agency, handing deals to Quay Walker, Kwity Paye and Nakobe Dean on defense.

Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. — The Raiders paid the big bucks to land Linderbaum as Mendoza’s protector

They also welcomed the unexpected return of Maxx Crosby after the star defensive end’s trade to the Baltimore Ravens was rescinded after he failed a physical.

Furthermore, they reset the center market when they handed Tyler Linderbaum three-year, $81 million deal to protect Mendoza, as well as providing the prospective No. 1 overall pick with a speedy receiving weapon in Jalen Nailor.

The 27-year-old, who spent the first four seasons of his pro football career at the Minnesota Vikings, is hugely excited at the prospect of catching footballs from Mendoza.

“[Mendoza is] a football guy,” Nailor said in a recent appearance of the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams.

“He’s a football player. He wants to win. The touch he has on his passes, those accurate passes that he makes, really pops out.

“He’s a mobile quarterback; he can get on the ground and run a little bit.

New Raiders WR Nailor is excited to work with Mendoza

“Just to have those aspects of him as a quarterback, he’s tall as well, so seeing over the line won’t be an issue. He has all the things you want in a quarterback.”

Nailor recorded a career-high 444 receiving yards from 29 receptions in 2025 in which he caught four touchdown passes.

But he could be on for another career year in the Sin City as one of Mendoza’s top targets, with the collegiate quarterback recording a passer rating of 182.9 with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions in his lone campaign under center for the Hoosiers.

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