The Las Vegas Raiders have ushered in a new era by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Although Mendoza chose to skip the green room in Pittsburgh and celebrate at home, cameras captured the raw emotion of the moment.
When his name was announced, a tearful Mendoza was seen embracing his mother and sharing this milestone with his family.
The 22-year-old’s reaction made it clear that he is ready to take the reins in Las Vegas and embrace the pressure that comes with being the top pick.
True to his reputation as one of the most professional and “business-minded” prospects in recent memory, Mendoza wasted no time in making a move off the field.
Nicole Auerbach shared a viral screenshot on X, formerly Twitter, showing that Mendoza has officially become a LinkedIn Partner.
and there it is: pic.twitter.com/MAkoRg14Pj
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 24, 2026
In a post there, Mendoza expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s official. Grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work!”
This move perfectly encapsulates the “business-first” persona that helped him climb draft boards throughout the spring.
By being selected first overall, Mendoza enters an elite tier of football history.
Adam Schefter noted that he joins Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston, and Cam Newton as the only quarterbacks since 1967 to win the Heisman Trophy, secure a National Title, and be selected No. 1 overall in the same cycle.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein describes Mendoza as a “precision-based pocket passer” with rare accuracy and steady command in high-pressure situations.
With a championship pedigree and a LinkedIn partnership already established, Mendoza is poised to be the face of the Raiders’ franchise for years to come.
The post Of course Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza is now a LinkedIn partner after going No. 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints.
