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One of the first big decisions for some rookies after the NFL draft is what jersey number they want to wear to kick off their career.
Sometimes those numbers work against rookies, whether they’re players who already have the numbers they want or a retired number that gets in the way.
Fernando Mendoza, the Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall pick, had a slight hiccup for his No. 15 pick before the draft. But the man known for his act by the franchise has given his blessing to the quarterback of the future.
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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, poses with Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak during a news conference in Henderson, Nevada, April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“He deserves my blessing,” former Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores said of Mendoza wearing No. 15 next season, according to the team’s official website. “Because if he’s not a serious person, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
The Raiders never officially retired Flores’ number, but he wanted to make sure to let Mendoza know how much he wanted him to wear the number Mendoza played 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 the plays. What can’t he do? He does everything. He’s fun to watch.”
Flores was the Raiders’ No. 15 pick from 1960 to 1966, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during that span. He also played 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, August 8, 2021. (Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)
After retiring, Flores became a coach with his former team the Raiders and ended up leading them to a Super Bowl victory in 1981. Then, in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mendoza was asked about Flores’ blessing to wear No. 15.
“It’s a testament to once a Raider, always a Raider. To the involvement of alumni. And I’m so lucky to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza said.
“I can’t thank [Flores] enough. I’m so blessed.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mendoza enters his NFL career with high expectations, not only being 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 at minicamp Friday.
