The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a dramatic crossroads.

After finishing the 2025 season with a 3‑14 record and securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

, the Silver and Black are positioned to make perhaps the most consequential quarterback decision in franchise history. With Indiana Hoosiers signal‑caller Fernando Mendoza atop draft boards and drawing bold praise from NFL veterans, the turf at Allegiant Stadium is buzzing with talk of a new era in Las Vegas. 

One voice that has stood out is former NFL head coach Bruce Arians, who delivered a compelling evaluation of the young passer on the “Pat McAfee Show.” Arians didn’t hold back, highlighting Mendoza’s physical tools, arm talent, and NFL‑ready traits in a way that sent ripples across draft circles. 

And Mendoza himself has responded to the growing speculation with the confidence and poise that have defined his season at Indiana.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,”

Mendoza said in a recent interview. “Every game, every rep, every challenge pushes me. If my name gets called first, I want to be ready not just to play — but to win.”
— Fernando Mendoza

That mindset has been prevalent throughout Mendoza’s record‑setting 2025 campaign, which culminated in a Rose Bowl victory and multiple national honors at Indiana. His blend of accuracy, athleticism, and leadership helped lift the Hoosiers to achievements not seen in decades, boosting his draft profile.

For a Raiders franchise that desperately needs a true franchise quarterback, Mendoza represents more than just a top pick. He represents possibility — a corner turned after years of instability at the most important position in football. With Geno Smith having struggled in 2025, and ownership publicly committing to a rebuild, all eyes are on the draft board in April.

Arians’ bold comparisons — likening Mendoza’s build and skill set to other highly regarded prospects — underscore why the Raiders and other contenders are now evaluating him as a legitimate NFL starter from Day 1

. Arians praised Mendoza’s arm strength, mobility, and instincts, all while noting the mental side of the game is where championships are built. 

That mental toughness resonates in Mendoza’s own words.

“I want to be more than a pick,” he added. “I want to be someone a team can trust in the huddle, someone who makes the calls, and someone who leads the locker room when it matters.”

— Fernando Mendoza

Now the question for Vegas is straightforward: Are they ready to bet their future on a young quarterback with elite traits and a championship mindset?

Critics argue that Mendoza will need support — upgrades to the offensive line and top‑end receiving — if he’s to succeed immediately. But supporters point out that with a rebuilding staff and a young roster, the Raiders have both the

motivation and cap space to surround him with talent. 

With free agency approaching and the draft just months away, the Raiders’ QB decision looms as the defining narrative of their offseason. Whether it’s Fernando Mendoza or another young passer, the choice made at No. 1 overall promises to shape the franchise’s fate for years.

And if Mendoza’s own words are any indication, he believes more than ever that he’s ready to be the corner‑turning signal‑caller in Las Vegas.

As the 2025 NFL season officially comes to a close, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson is making it clear that he doesn’t plan to walk away from the game quietly. After a difficult season with the

New York Giants, where Wilson lost his starting job and saw limited playing time, the 37‑year‑old signal‑caller delivered a defiant message about his future in the league — one that suggests he’s still hungry for competition.

The headline line from his most recent remarks?

“Yeah, I’m not blinking.” — Russell Wilson 

Wilson made that comment when asked directly whether he plans to continue his NFL career in 2026, a response that has quickly spread across social media and NFL circles. For a veteran who has already earned a

Super Bowl championship and 10 Pro Bowl selections, the phrase “not blinking” carries particular weight — it signals confidence and determination to keep playing despite recent setbacks.

Wilson’s 2025 campaign in New York was far from the Hall‑of‑Fame arc fans had envisioned when he signed a one‑year deal with the Giants last offseason. He started just

three games, posting modest overall numbers, and was ultimately replaced on the depth chart — first by rookie Jaxson Dart and later by others — as New York struggled to find consistency at quarterback.

Yet amid the season’s ups and downs, Wilson pointed to flashes of his ability, most notably one performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 when he threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns

in a thrilling overtime loss. That night, Wilson also revealed that he had torn his hamstring during practice earlier that week, a severity he played through in order to help his team compete.

His statement about not blinking wasn’t just bravado — it was rooted in his belief that he still has something to offer as a quarterback, even if the past year didn’t unfold ideally.

“I know what I’m capable of,” Wilson added. “I think I showed that in Dallas, and I want to be able to do that again. … Be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”

The phrase has become part of Wilson’s public persona — a signifier that he’s not ready to cede the spotlight or accept a lesser role just yet.

At a time when many veterans his age are contemplating retirement or transitioning into broadcasting, Wilson’s insistence that he’s still in the fight marks him as one of the more persistent competitors left in the league. Whether that results in a backup role, a bridge starter gig, or even a surprise contender job in 2026 remains to be seen, but his message resonates: he intends to keep pushing.

NFL teams could view Wilson’s defiance a number of ways. On one hand, a seasoned veteran who refuses to give up can be valuable — especially as a mentor to a young quarterback or a reliable backup option. On the other hand, the league is increasingly focused on youth and mobility at the quarterback position, especially after Wilson’s hamstring disclosure and his limited action in 2025.

That tension will shape his offseason path:

• Free agent open market: Wilson will be able to sign with any team once his deal expires in March.

• Backup/mentor roles: Several franchises looking for veteran presence could express interest.

• Starting debates: Some teams with unclear quarterback rooms might give Wilson a look in competition.

Whether Wilson ends up suiting up as a starter, backup or special mentor next season, his defiant message — “I’m not blinking” — captures the spirit of a long career that has stubbornly refused to fade quietly. 

Fans, analysts and front offices alike will be watching closely as Russell Wilson’s next chapter begins — a chapter he clearly plans to write on his own terms.