‘He’s the man to watch’: Former NFL head coach does not hold back on top QB

As the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza has a lot of expectations to meet. Long-suffering Las Vegas Raiders fans are hoping he is the franchise quarterback they have been sorely lacking, though the organization itself has been taking things slowly with the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.

Longtime NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci knows some things about quarterback play, having worked with the likes of Brett Favre and Steve Young. In a new interview with Alex Withers for Casino.org, Mariucci revealed his feelings on Mendoza and his future.

‘Baptism by fire’

Mariucci told Withers he’s a “fan” of Mendoza and believes he’ll be “the man to watch this season.”

“I’m watching him closely coming out of this draft to see when he plays and then how well he plays,” Mariucci explained. “It’s going to be a baptism by fire. It’s going to be hard for him but he’s my standout pick for the season based on raw talent.”

The Raiders have posted four consecutive losing seasons and went 7-27 in 2024 and 2025. The organization is starting over with first-year coach Klint Kubiak, and is banking on Mendoza being a long-term solution.

“The Raiders are building, getting stronger, and trying to get back up there with the rest of that division, so his time there will only make him a better quarterback,” Mariucci said. “But it will be interesting to see when they play him but it’s all about his readiness, and development which he’ll get at the Raiders.”

No rush for the Raiders

Mendoza’s readiness has been a major storyline already this summer. Many teams eagerly through their first-round quarterbacks into the fire, but Las Vegas is banking on Kirk Cousins beginning the year as the starter.

“Kirk’s a veteran guy that’s going to be a very good influence on him. He’ll be a good mentor for Fernando to help him learn his trade,” Mariucci said of the 38-year-old, four-time Pro Bowler.

In his preseason debut, Mendoza acquitted himself well, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. There are already calls for him to start, though others are taking a more measured approach.

“He led a good scoring drive,” Kubiak said of Mendoza, via Pro Football Talk. “As far as getting and out of the huddle, commanding the group, getting the play calls down, I saw the same guy I see in practice. I saw an ascending player who’s got to keep getting better.”

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