What Fernando Mendoza declaring for NFL draft means for Raiders' head coach search

The Las Vegas Raiders got some great news on Friday when Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared for the 2026 NFL draft.

Mendoza is the top quarterback in this year's draft class and the expectation is that the Raiders will take him with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

The Raiders desperately need a franchise quarterback and Mendoza certainly looks the part after a wildly successful college career that saw him more than pass the eye test while winning a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.

Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft," Mendoza said.

As this news came across the Raiders' desk on Friday, the team is still searching for its next head coach. Here's what Mendoza declaring means for Las Vegas' search.

Mendoza's impact on Raiders head coach search

With Mendoza now in the fold, the Raiders are almost certainly going to hire an offensive-minded coach.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Las Vegas is “believed to be focusing on an offensive-minded head coach to pair with the likely No. 1 overall pick."

While the Raiders have interviewed several offensive-minded coaches, two stand out above the rest based on what Schultz has heard.

Those two are Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Broncos passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.

“I’ve heard a lot of Klint Kubiak and Davis Webb mentioned here," Schultz added.

While only 30 years old, Webb is a rising star and someone who played a big role in the development of Bo Nix, which will now be particularly attractive for the Raiders.

Kubiak is in his first year as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator and led Seattle to one of the better units in the NFL this season. He entered this coach-hiring cycle considered one of the hottest candidates.

We tend to lean Kubiak over Webb because of his advantage in his experience, but one way or the other it looks like Las Vegas will hire an offensive-minded coach.

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