Fernando Mendoza is typically one of the most happy-go-lucky guys in professional football. But he doesn’t mind venting when something stands in his way of getting better on the field.
Mendoza said he was not pleased about having to miss Raiders practice and attend the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles during a Q&A with Sports Illustrated this week.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you.” Mendoza said, “I’d rather be practicing right now, and I was really upset about actually having to miss practice for this.”
The No. 1 pick added that he still enjoyed his time at the mandatory event for the NFL’s top rookies.
“I’m not going to feel sorry for myself and feel wishy-washy,” Mendoza said. “I’m going to have a smile on my face and make the most of that present moment.”
The NFLPA Rookie Premiere is an annual event that’s taken place for the last 32 years. This year’s event hosted 42 rookies from the 2026 NFL Draft and included Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Avell Reese, and Ty Simpson.
The purpose of the event is to provide players mentorship and networking opportunities. It also teaches them about the branding side of professional football.
Despite his frustration, Mendoza added that overall he had a good time and learned a lot.
“Live and learn all the NFL pay benefits, make all the connections with different mentors here, let me make sure I can maximize my time to be able to create a positive impact and learn about my situation and surroundings,” Mendoza said. “So those are all things that I really benefited from being here.”
Mendoza previously skipped a White House visit for his national champion Indiana Hoosiers in order to prioritize reps with his new team.
He is expected to start the season as the backup for veteran Kirk Cousins — but should eventually get a shot under center for the rebuilding Las Vegas squad.
