Why Derek Carr is rooting for Fernando Mendoza to dominate and rewrite Las Vegas Raiders record books

Fernando Mendoza is already being talked about as the future of the Las Vegas Raiders, and the expectation is only growing louder. With the franchise holding the No. 1 overall pick, all signs point to the Indiana Hoosiers football quarterback heading to Las Vegas next month.

It signals more than just a draft decision. It feels like a reset, one the Raiders have been chasing since Derek Carr moved on after the 2022 season.The search since then has been messy. A revolving door at quarterback never quite settled, and last season’s pairing of Geno Smith with coach Pete Carroll only deepened the slide. A 3–14 finish forced another reset, with Carroll gone and Smith traded to the New York Jets. Now, the spotlight shifts to a 22-year-old who arrives with big credentials and even bigger expectations.

Derek Carr backs Fernando Mendoza to rewrite Las Vegas Raiders history with record-breaking ambitions

Fernando Mendoza steps into a situation that demands answers quickly. The Raiders need stability, and they need it now. Drafting him first overall would place him at the center of that urgency, especially given his résumé as a Heisman winner and national champion. Still, the timeline is not set in stone.

General manager John Spytek has suggested Mendoza might not be rushed into the starting role. That plan, however, could shift after the recent roster shake-up.

Right now, Aidan O’Connell is the only returning option with starting experience. The team is expected to bring in a veteran presence, with names like Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco, and Jimmy Garoppolo circulating as possible mentors.For Mendoza, the challenge is layered. He must learn fast, lead early, and handle the weight of a franchise eager to turn the page. That balance between patience and pressure often defines how quickly a rookie quarterback finds his footing.

Derek Carr’s Raiders records and rare support set tone for Mendoza era

Derek Carr’s legacy still runs deep in Las Vegas, which makes his recent comments stand out even more. Speaking on his podcast with his brother David Carr, he made it clear he is rooting for the next man up.“I hope Fernando Mendoza breaks every Raider record,” Carr said. “As a former quarterback, if you feel any other way, there’s something wrong with you. ... Why wouldn’t you want the next generation to do better than you? Like, I want the best for everybody.”It is not something you often hear from a former franchise quarterback. Carr holds most of the team’s major passing records, including yards, touchdowns, and completions, built over nine steady seasons. Yet he sounds ready to see those marks fall.There is one exception, delivered with a touch of humor. Carr admitted he would prefer to keep his comeback record intact. He also joked about a less glamorous stat, saying he does not want Mendoza to match him in “the amount of screws in your right ankle.”Carr has even left the door slightly open for a return under the right conditions. “Would I do it? Absolutely I would do it,” Carr said on his podcast last month. “I told you two things. I’d have to be healthy and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl. Obviously that’s a tough thing to find. That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”That scenario feels unlikely for now. The Raiders are still building, still searching for their identity. Mendoza, if drafted, becomes the face of that search.