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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 start their careers.
Sometimes those numbers work against rookies, whether they’re players who already possess the desired digits or a retired number that gets in the way.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, had a slight hiccup with his No. 15 heading into the draft. But the man known by the franchise number gave his blessing to the quarterback of the future.
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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected with 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 at a news conference in Henderson, Nevada, on 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 the real one, 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 Mendoza starred for the Hoosiers.
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“He’s perfect,” Flores said of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He can make every pitch. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. It’s fun to watch.”
Flores starred at No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960 to 1966, throwing for more than 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, 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 victory in 1981. Then, in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mendoza was asked about Flores’ blessing to wear the number 15.
“It speaks to the testimony of once a Raider, always a Raider. About how involved the alumni are. And I feel very blessed to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza said.
“I can’t thank you [Flores] enough. “I’m very blessed.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mendoza begins his NFL career with high expectations, not only being the first overall pick, but playing for a proud franchise hoping to win the Super Bowl again.
Mendoza will join the rest of the Raiders’ rookie class at minicamp on Friday.
