Tom Flores Passes No. 15 Torch to Raiders' No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza: 'He's Perfect'

Key facts

• Fernando Mendoza, Heisman Trophy winner, selected No. 1 overall by Las Vegas Raiders in 2026 NFL Draft.
• Tom Flores, Hall of Fame QB and former Raiders coach, wore No. 15 from 1960-66, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 92 TDs.
• Flores led Raiders to two Super Bowl victories as head coach and was inducted into Hall of Fame in 2021.
• Raiders GM John Spytek said Mendoza planned a post-pro-day dinner at a French steak house, showing leadership.
• Mendoza led Indiana to an undefeated season and national championship, with 186 passing yards and a goal-line leap in the title game.
• Raiders drafted 10 players in 2026, including WR Malik Benson from Oregon and free agent Jalen Nailor (10 TD grabs in last 2 seasons).
• Spytek first saw Mendoza in person at the CFB National Championship game, where Indiana defeated Miami 27-21.

A Blessing from Raiders Royalty

Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick Fernando Mendoza will wear No. 15 next season, with the blessing of the man who made the number iconic for the franchise. Hall of Famer Tom Flores, who wore the jersey from 1960 to 1966 and later coached the team to two Super Bowl victories, told the team's official website: "He deserves my blessing. Because if he's not the real deal, I don't know what the hell I'm doing." Flores, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021, had never formally retired his number, but he wanted to ensure Mendoza felt welcome to carry the legacy. "He's perfect," Flores said of the Heisman Trophy winner. "He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can't he do? He does it all. He's fun to watch." The gesture underscores the significance of the number to the Raiders' history. Flores threw for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during his playing days with the Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Command Beyond the Workout

Mendoza's pro day on April 1 in Bloomington, Indiana, was a showcase of his on-field precision, but what happened afterward may have sealed his status as the franchise's future. Raiders general manager John Spytek revealed on the "Up & Adams" podcast that Mendoza took the rare step of announcing the teammates he would throw to and the patterns they would run, then orchestrated the entire evening. "He picked the dinner spot and we had a great two-hour conversation with him," Spytek said, noting that Mendoza was "confident and in command of himself. That's a lot of the qualities we were looking for in being a Raider and investing the first pick." The dinner took place at a French steak house, likely Uptown Cafe, where Mendoza secured a private room. Spytek added: "You can't be nervous about picking dinner spots if we're going to hand the franchise to you." The GM emphasized that Mendoza's authenticity and genuine care for his teammates were evident throughout the day. "It wasn't lost on him that he was probably the media star of the show, but I know that's not what it was about for him," Spytek said.

The National Championship Moment

Spytek first saw Mendoza in person at the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where Indiana defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21. Mendoza finished with 186 passing yards and scored a goal-line leap that secured the Hoosiers their first national championship in program history. "The iconic run in particular... the outcome of that game was highly decided on that play," Spytek said. "And the moment wasn't too big for him. He didn't speed up in the moment.... I think my favorite part of it was the combination of awareness of where he was on the field and his willingness to put it all on the line for his teammates." By the time the Raiders arrived for Mendoza's pro day, Spytek said the team was already sold. "It was less about the throwing part of it, but the way that he interacted with his teammates," the GM explained. "The way that he took charge of that workout... it was his show, but at the same time he was there for them too."

Draft Day Aggression and Roster Moves

The Raiders entered the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 1 overall pick and did not stop there. General manager John Spytek orchestrated multiple trades, adding 10 players to the roster, including Dalton Johnson, Mike Washington Jr., and Jermod McCoy. The team also selected wide receiver Malik Benson from Oregon in a later round. Some analysts questioned the Raiders' decision not to allocate more resources to bolster the receiving corps, but Spytek expressed satisfaction with the young receivers already on the roster. He also highlighted free agent signee Jalen Nailor, who has recorded 10 touchdown receptions over the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The aggressive draft approach signals the Raiders' commitment to building around Mendoza, who is expected to be the centerpiece of the franchise for years to come.

A Franchise Handed Over

The selection of Mendoza was widely anticipated for months, but the Raiders' due diligence never wavered. Spytek and his staff completed a thorough pre-draft process, culminating in the pro day dinner that confirmed their instincts. "He was confident and in command of himself," Spytek reiterated, drawing a direct line from that evening to the decision to invest the first overall pick. Mendoza's leadership qualities, both on and off the field, have drawn comparisons to the franchise's storied past. Flores, now 89, saw in Mendoza the same qualities that defined his own career. The passing of the No. 15 torch is both symbolic and practical: the Raiders have not formally retired the number, but Flores's blessing carries the weight of history. "He's perfect," Flores said, encapsulating the hope that Mendoza will lead the Raiders back to prominence.

The bottom line

• Tom Flores, Hall of Fame quarterback and former Raiders coach, has given his blessing for Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15, calling him 'perfect' and 'the real deal'.
• Raiders GM John Spytek was impressed by Mendoza's command off the field, including planning a post-pro-day dinner at a French steak house, which helped seal the No. 1 pick decision.
• Mendoza led Indiana to an undefeated season and its first national championship, with a goal-line leap in the title game that Spytek called 'iconic'.
• The Raiders added 10 players in the 2026 draft, including wide receiver Malik Benson, and have high expectations for free agent Jalen Nailor.
• Spytek emphasized Mendoza's authenticity and leadership, noting that the quarterback's pro day was as much about his teammates as himself.
• The No. 15 jersey carries significant history with the Raiders, and Flores's blessing bridges the franchise's past with its future.