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One of the first big decisions for some rookies after the NFL Draft is which jersey number they want to wear to start their career.
Sometimes those numbers work against rookies, whether they’re players who already own their desired digits or a number that’s in the way.
For the Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, he had a slight hiccup for his No. 15 going into the draft. But the man known for it within the franchise gave his blessing to the new quarterback of the future.
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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, poses with Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak at a news conference in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“He deserves my blessing,” former Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores said of Mendoza, who will wear No. 15 this coming season, according to the team’s official website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
The Raiders never formally retired Flores’ number, but he wanted to make sure to let Mendoza know how much he wants him to wear the number he starred in for the Hoosiers.
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“He’s perfect,” Flores said of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He can make every throw. He can make plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch.”
Flores rocked No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960-66 and threw for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during that span. He also starred for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days.
Tom Flores, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, poses with his bust during the induction ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on August 8, 2021. (Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)
After retiring, Flores began coaching with his old Raiders team and ended up leading them to a Super Bowl XV victory. Then, in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mendoza was asked about Flores’ blessing to wear No. 15.
“It speaks to once a Raider, always a Raider. About how involved the alumni are. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza said.
“I can’t thank you [Flores] enough. I am so blessed.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mendoza enters his NFL career with very high expectations, not just the No. 1 overall pick, but playing for a proud franchise that hopes to return to its Super Bowl-winning ways.
Mendoza will join the rest of the Raiders’ rookie class during their minicamp that starts this Friday.
