“Unlike the Patriots and the other teams on this list, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t expected to be chasing the postseason in 2026,” Bleacher Report‘s insider wrote. “However, trading for Brown would still be logical for a couple of reasons.

“For one, Las Vegas will spend the next few seasons developing rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While the Raiders have put some nice pieces in place for Mendoza, including Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tyler Linderbaum, they lack a No. 1 receiver.”

There is significant excitement in Las Vegas surrounding Mendoza and the vision of him becoming the franchise quarterback. Brown’s experience could provide the young QB with a lethal weapon, although his future destination remains uncertain for now.

How much could Brown help Fernando Mendoza?

The potential addition of AJ Brown would be a monumental boost for Fernando Mendoza’s transition and long-term development in the NFL. Coming off a spectacular 2025 college season where he dominated the national stage with 3,535 passing yards, a stunning 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, Mendoza has proven he possesses the elite accuracy and decision-making required for the next level.

However, the Raiders’ current wide receiver room severely lacks proven star power and extensive starting experience, leaning heavily on young targets like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. Aside from the reliable presence of tight end Brock Bowers, this receiving corps desperately needs a true, battle-tested alpha target who can consistently beat press coverage and command double teams.

Integrating an elite, physical wideout like AJ Brown would completely transform the offense, providing Mendoza with a premier safety valve on contested catches and a game-breaking deep threat to perfectly complement his collegiate efficiency.

Raiders’ 2026 receiving corps

Even with uncertainty surrounding who will be the QB1 starting in Week 1, Klint Kubiak currently has both Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as his two primary signal-callers. Through the air, these are the names they will have at their disposal heading into the 2026 season to challenge opposing defenses.

A new era is about to start in Las Vegas. Klint Kubiaks has taken over as head coach, analyzing his new players and even giving intriguing adjectives to some of them as he did with tiught end Brock Bowers.

Now, Kubiak has shifted the focus towards the ground attack. The head coach believes Ashton Jeanty can shine more under his guidance, warning him that a heavier workload is expected for him in 2026.

“We want to put a lot of pressure on Ashton,” Kubiak said, via the team’s official site. “The next guy that steps up, whoever that may be, that’s going to be seen here in practice, OTAs and training camp, but we think we should continue to challenge Ashton and get more out of him.”

The Raiders must protect Ashton Jeanty

In past years, the running back position has struggled to be regarded as a crucial one. Several players have struggled to secure elite contracts, but fortunately things have changed recently.

According to rumors, many NFL coaches saw running backs as dispensable, with only a few being completly elite. Ashton Jeanty can be one of those premier RBs, but the Raiders need to protect him.

Las Vegas doesn’t have a great offensive line, causing Jeanty to not being able to shine as expected. While Kubiak has made some changes to the unit upon his arrival, it remains uncertain how efective can it be to open spaces for Jeanty to damage rival defenses.

With Kubiak preparing to use Ashton Jeanty in more ways, it is clear that the former Boise State standout could improve his stats in 2026. Nevertheless, the Raiders must not squezze him out in order to avoid him having a short career as many other running backs whose talents faded away due to an intense workload and no help at all.

Who sits behind Ashton Jeandy?

Mike Washington Jr. is projected as the primary RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. Head coach Klint Kubiak views the rookie as a highly capable backup, though Jeanty remains the undisputed workhorse who will command the lion’s share of the carries in the offensive game plan.

“It’s important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we’ve got to get them on the field as much as we can. I don’t know the play-snap percentage, but you look at [49ers running back] Christian McCaffrey, his play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.”

Kubiak has officially taken over as the head coach of the Raiders. While he has plenty of work ahead of him in Las Vegas, he inherits a talented offensive foundation that should help ease his transition during his debut season.

With rookie Fernando Mendoza already mastering Klint Kubiak’s playbook and expected to compete for the QB1 spot, maximizing every available weapon will be crucial for the team’s success. The former Indiana standout is expected to rely heavily on Bowers, and Kubiak couldn’t be happier to have an elite tight end ready to support his young quarterback.

“He’s kind of a football robot, in a good way,” Klint Kubiak said of Bowers on Wednesday. “He’s a football robot from heaven. He’s a Cadillac out there. We’ve got to get the most out of Brock. Wherever he goes, he’s been successful in college and high school. Whoever has coached him, so I can’t say enough great things about him, love his work ethic. He’s a standard bearer.”

Brock Bowers will be key for Fernando Mendoza’s growth

For many rookie quarterbacks, the presence of a reliable tight end is essential to their development. Offensive game plans often shield young signal-callers from taking unnecessary downfield risks early on, making a dependable safety valve over the middle absolutely crucial.

Bowers is an outstanding tight end, and Mendoza will undoubtedly look his way to jumpstart the offense. While it remains uncertain if the rookie will secure the starting job for Week 1, the offseason program provides a vital opportunity for the two to build strong chemistry.

In just two years, Bowers has firmly established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL. Despite a 2025 campaign that was slightly hampered by injuries, he has already racked up 1,874 yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 games—production that proves the future is incredibly bright for this Raiders offense.

The Raiders face a very tough division

Even though the Chiefs weren’t at their absolute peak in 2025, they remain incredibly dangerous as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are leading the team. Meanwhile, the Broncos enter the year looking like the top threat in the AFC West, competing head-to-head with the Chargers for the crown.

The Raiders enter the 2026 campaign as the underdogs to win the AFC West. Nevertheless, the arrival of Kubiak—fresh off winning Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks—combined with the high upside of Mendoza has many believing that a new era is successfully underway in Las Vegas.

“Yeah, he’s a professional. He’s played a lot of football. He’s a leader that we’re counting on right now,” the head coach told reporters on Wednesday. “You see that side of him when it gets competitive, that was fun to get that move the ball period and get guys off of scripts and see how they respond, and you see the fire come out, and that’s what I want from our guys.”

Klint Kubiak knows Kirk Cousins firsthand, and understands that his experience in the league could not only help the Las Vegas Raiders achieve strong results, but also help refine a young talent like Fernando Mendoza with an eye toward the future.

Kubiak and Cousins already know each other from Minnesota

When Kubiak took over the reins as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he and Kirk Cousins picked up right where the previous scheme left off, keeping that offense running like a well-oiled machine. Having already spent two years as the quarterback coach, he had a great connection with Captain Kirk, and it showed on the field.

Under his play-calling, Cousins put up some highly efficient numbers in that play-action-heavy system, throwing for over 4,200 yards, 33 touchdowns, and protecting the ball with just 7 interceptions. It was a smooth, high-execution partnership that not only kept the quarterback playing at an elite level but also helped fuel a massive 1,600-yard season for Justin Jefferson.

Fernando Mendoza awaits his moment

Even with a veteran like Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Raiders didn’t draft Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall just to let him sit on the bench forever. He is seen as the undisputed centerpiece of Las Vegas’ long-term future.

Coming off a historic, undefeated 16-0 season with the Indiana Hoosiers where he absolutely lit up college football—putting up a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions alongside a Heisman Trophy—Mendoza has the elite pedigree of a true franchise quarterback.

For many scouts, Fernando Mendoza is a generational talent—not only because of his physical football skills, but also due to his exceptional reasoning and the way he studies the sport off the field.

The Raiders are already witnessing this intellectual approach firsthand. According to offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, Mendoza does not just want to learn how to execute certain plays; he also wants to understand the “why” behind them to fully master the system.

“He’s somebody that wants to know the whys of everything, the story behind everything,” Andrew Janocko said of Mendoza, via the team’s official website. “What we’re calling, but why are we calling it?

“He’s really just a sponge that wants to know everything. So it’s a lot of fun working with a quarterback like that because he’s coming in as a blank slate in this offense — never been in this offense before — and just asking a ton of questions.”

Fernando Mendoza is special, but the Raiders need to help him

The Raiders, who are one of five teams without a primetime game in 2026, have struggled to find a definitive replacement for Derek Carr. Fernando Mendoza might be the answer, but the club definitely needs to surround him with a strong supporting cast to let his talent shine.

As of today, the Raiders have a decent offensive foundation for Mendoza to work with. He has an outstanding tight end in Brock Bowers and a solid running back in Ashton Jeanty, but the wide receiver corps could definitely use an upgrade.

Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailer are currently the primary wide receivers on the roster. While it seems like an elite, top-tier target is missing from this group, Mendoza’s natural talent could help both wideouts break out and shine despite not being regarded as premier weapons.

Can Fernando Mendoza start over Kirk Cousins in Week 1?

As of today, Kirk Cousins is listed as QB1 on the Raiders’ early depth charts. His veteran experience leads many to believe he will start in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, yet Mendoza is already making a strong push to win the quarterback race.

According to reports, if Mendoza puts together a solid rookie minicamp and shines in offseason workouts, he could realistically start over Cousins in Week 1. However, the Raiders might also choose to go with the veteran to open the season, allowing the rookie to learn from the sidelines for a few weeks before ultimately taking control of the offense.

Joining the Jets in this primetime drought are the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders, two teams currently navigating through periods of transition. Both organizations will play the entirety of their 2026 campaigns in the standard afternoon windows, as broadcast partners opted for matchups featuring teams with higher projected win totals.

The Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins round out the list of the five teams that received zero primetime games this year. For the Dolphins, this exclusion is particularly shocking given their recent offensive explosiveness, but it reflects a league-wide focus on the most consistent contenders as the NFL prioritizes maximum viewership for its most exclusive television windows.

What zero primetime games mean for playoff chances

Not having any primetime games often implies that national analysts have low expectations for a team’s success during the upcoming season. However, this lack of spotlight can occasionally benefit a roster by allowing them to maintain a consistent routine and fly under the radar without the added pressure.

Teams without Primetime games:

• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Arizona Cardinals
• Miami Dolphins

For teams like the Cardinals and Titans, the absence of night games means fewer distractions and more 1:00 p.m. starts, which can help a young team build rhythm and momentum. While they won’t be seen by a national audience, their path to the playoffs remains dictated by their performance on the field rather than their television schedule.

Ultimately, being left out of the primetime conversation serves as a clear motivational tool for players and coaches who feel overlooked by the league’s scheduling committee. If the Dolphins or Raiders can turn their season into a winning campaign early on, they could still find themselves “flexed” into a night game later in the year.

Earlier this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to send Maxx Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. The move ultimately fell through after Crosby failed his physical due to concerns regarding a meniscus repair, a twist of fate that directly impacted the Buccaneers.

Jason Licht, general manager of the Bucs, revealed that the failed trade was a “blessing in disguise.” Had the trade been finalized, the Raiders would have held the No. 14 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—one spot ahead of Tampa Bay. Licht believes the Raiders would have likely selected Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., whom the Buccaneers ultimately secured at No. 15.

“Then I think going back to free agency when, you know, the Raiders-Ravens trade didn’t work out, I think that in some way I’d like to think helped us a little bit. I was a little afraid if the Raiders made that trade, Spytek, he and I are very close, he was taunting me a little bit, hey, we’re sitting right in front of you, I know what you need,” Licht said “And then, you know, Crosby goes back to the Raiders, then the Ravens are sitting there again with their pick, and I know they love their edge rushers, too, so that had me nervous.”

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding Rueben Bain Jr.

Prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, Rueben Bain Jr. was regarded as a top-10 prospect. However, concerns over his arm length (measured at 30 7/8″) caused him to slide down the board to the 15th overall pick.

Scouts describe Bain Jr. as an explosive, NFL-ready edge rusher. Nevertheless, critics believe his lack of length might hinder his ability to disengage from veteran offensive linemen at the professional level.

Bain Jr. famously dismissed these concerns by comparing himself to Mike Tyson, noting that while Tyson wasn’t the longest fighter, “when you felt him, you felt him.” Now, he must prove scouts wrong on the field and show the teams that passed on him that they made a significant mistake.

Will Maxx Crosby be traded?

With the Ravens backing out of the deal, Crosby remains with the Raiders for the 2026 season. While he had reportedly envisioned a future outside of Las Vegas, those plans are now on hold.

Crosby remains an elite pass rusher, but he must deliver an outstanding 2026 campaign. Given the injury concerns raised by Baltimore, he needs a healthy season to prove his long-term value, or his time in Las Vegas may truly be reaching its end.

At Indiana, Mendoza worked plenty at the shotgun formation, so he is focusing on taking reps under center. “I think it’s going to be that repetition under center, getting those quicker feet, and just you can always be faster and more efficient in your reads and decisiveness,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza has been highly praised by his work ethic and being a tape nerd. Listening to him proves that. He is eager to get better and he wants to do it fast. Mendoza is a winner, and he will do whatever it takes to get the results the Raiders want.

Mendoza isn’t the only one adjusting to play under center

The Raiders picked offensive lineman Trey Zuhn in the third-round, and he’s been snapping for Mendoza during the minicamp. Zuhn played for Texas A&M during his college days. While he’s not scheduled to be the starting center (that would be Tyler Linderbaum), it’s great for him to get some reps there as well.

“We didn’t do very much under center at A&M, either, so it’s been great getting those extra reps,” Zuhn said. It seems that, after years of cultural mess within the Raiders confines, now it’s time to get to work and get things right.

The Raiders have a mountain to climb ahead of them

Unfortunately for Mendoza and the Raiders, it won’t be easy to turn their fortunes around. The fact is that they compete in the AFC West, arguably the toughest division in the NFL.

The Raiders have to battle against the 2020s dynasty in the Chiefs, the AFC runner-ups in the Broncos, and a perennial contender like the Los Angeles Chargers. Hence, it’s a big task to turn things around in just one season. Still, that’s what the Raiders are aiming for.

In fact, it was Mendoza himself who, in an interview with the media, revealed what it means for him to work with his new head coach, and how he will be able to maximize all of his strengths in this new stage of his career.

“He won a Super Bowl last year so I saw a lot of him… When I was drafted and got here, I was able to get the playbook. However, going now to be in the facility and have access to the film and see the application, see Kirk Cousins do it in Minnesota, see Sam Darnold do it last year in Seattle… how it’s supposed to be executed when it’s done at a high level, has really been beneficial for my development,” he said about making strides learning Kubiak’s system via Nick Walters on X.

“Coming from day 1, just seeing it on paper, to day 2, last night with coaches, really studying… that’s how their footwork and eyes looked, so can we put it on the field today, and I think we did.”

Kubiak knows how to develop quarterbacks

Klint Kubiak has proven to be a high-level offensive architect, capable of maximizing quarterback production in diverse systems. In 2021, as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, he guided Kirk Cousins to one of his most efficient campaigns, where the veteran threw for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions while earning a Pro Bowl selection.

Kubiak took his expertise to Seattle for the 2025 season, where he revolutionized Sam Darnold’s career. Under Kubiak’s West Coast scheme, Darnold delivered an elite regular season with 4,048 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, culminating in a Super Bowl LX victory.

This partnership transformed Darnold from a bridge starter into a championship-caliber quarterback, leading the Seahawks to a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins and their second NFL title.

The challenge of developing Mendoza

After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza joins the Las Vegas Raiders to lead a new era under head coach Klint Kubiak. During his 2025 Heisman-winning campaign at Indiana, he showcased elite pros, including a 72.1% completion rate, 41 touchdowns, and world-class ball placement, particularly on back-shoulder throws and intermediate routes.

His football IQ and ability to process defenses post-snap are seen as his “superpowers.” However, Kubiak must address certain cons from Mendoza’s college tape, such as his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to a high pressure-to-sack rate of 18.9%, and a deep ball that sometimes lacks the strength to hit receivers in stride.

By implementing the quick-release concepts and play-action schemes that Kubiak mastered in San Francisco and Seattle, the Raiders hope to maximize Mendoza’s pinpoint accuracy while shielding him from the pocket instability that occasionally hindered him in college.

When the Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the fanbase was electrified. Optimism reached new heights at the prospect of a seven-time Super Bowl champion guiding the rookie toward professional success.

While Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, general manager John Spytek has clarified the chain of command. Spytek detailed that he will primarily let head coach Klint Kubiak and the coaching staff guide Mendoza’s day-to-day development.

“I don’t think it’s going to be hard,” Spytek said. “We both welcome Tom’s insight and his input. But at the same time, I would say Tom has empowered us to run the day-to-day of the Raiders the way that we see fit. And obviously with the right vision and process in place, we’re going to be a very process-driven organization right now. And I think that wouldn’t surprise anybody with the way that Tom has operated throughout his career.”

If things go wrong, Tom Brady could always step in

Klint Kubiak is in his first year as head coach following a brilliant stint with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won Super Bowl LX. He now inherits a generational prospect in Fernando Mendoza, and the expectations for the Indiana star are already sky-high.

According to Spytek, Brady—who personally welcomed Mendoza after his selection—will allow Kubiak to develop the signal-caller, respecting the boundaries of the coaching staff. Nevertheless, there is a clear strategic reason why the Raiders brought Brady into the ownership group.

If the transition proves difficult, the Raiders will undoubtedly rely on Brady’s unprecedented expertise to assist both Kubiak and Mendoza. Though he is not a coach, his high-level advice could be the catalyst the club needs to finally secure the franchise quarterback fans have craved for decades.

The Raiders have another experienced QB to help Mendoza

Earlier this offseason, the Raiders signed Kirk Cousins. While he may not boast the trophy case of Tom Brady, his extensive veteran experience will be invaluable to Mendoza’s growth.

The Raiders are prepared for a competitive summer between Mendoza and Cousins. However, given his significant college experience and perceived NFL-readiness, the rookie appears to have the inside track to start in Week 1.

The first three rounds passed, and no team called McCoy’s name. McCoy didn’t play in 2025 due to a knee injury, but still was touted as one of the best corners in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was picked by the Raiders with the first pick of the fourth round.

However, reports say the knee injury is worse than expected. Despite having a great pro day showing in March, reports state that McCoy had a bone plug used to repair cartilage in the knee. This has caused long-term concerns on McCoy’s career. While he is healthy as of now, there’s a chance that McCoy needs a second surgery, and that prevented teams from calling his name earlier in the 2026 NFL Draft.

McCoy’s talent is supreme for a fourth-rounder

McCoy was turned into a classic ‘boom-or-bust‘ talent in the sense that, if he stays healthy, he could be one of the best young corners in the league, but if not, it’s not a great sight for the team. However, in the fourth round, he was a risk worth taking, and the Raiders saw that.

In the fourth round, he goes from ‘boom-or-bust’ to ‘sleeper pick‘. If he works out, the Raiders look like geniuses and they get their CB1. If McCoy doesn’t work out, it’s a fourth-rounder that was worth the gamble, not a top pick gone to waste.

Tom Brady could be a great mentor for McCoy

How can a former quarterback be a mentor for McCoy, who is a corner? Well, the thing is Tom Brady knows a thing or two in overcoming the odds. A 199th pick turned into the best and greatest football player of all time.

Hence, Tom Brady could mentor McCoy in the mental aspect of the game, and motivate him to reach new heights. Brady is more than just a co-owner. He is the one most players look up to, so his role is more than just ownership.