The New York Jets reportedly sent three scouts to watch Indiana's 56-6 dismantling of UCLA as Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues to draw buzz as a top draft pick
16:34 ET, 25 Oct 2025
Jets team owner Woody Johnson stands on the field
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Woody Johnson criticized the Jets' quarterback play this season(Image: Getty Images)
The New York Jets are seemingly doing their homework on one of the top-ranked quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As has been the case for much of the past decade, the Jets actively feature a revolving door at quarterback after Justin Fields was benched for Tyrod Taylor during last weekend's 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Yet the 26-year-old received the starting nod for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the veteran signal-caller being ruled out with an injury.
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Amidst the Jets’ struggles under center, It appears as though team owner Woody Johnson — who bluntly suggested that underwhelming quarterback play was primarily responsible for New York’s 0-7 start to the 2025 season — is once again ready to take a big swing at a young passer. If the NFL season were to end today, New York would own the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft.
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According to a recent report from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, it appears as though the Jets could have their eye on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. On Saturday, New York sent three scouts to Bloomington for the Hoosiers’ 56-6 victory over UCLA.
Mendoza turned in a respectable performance both through the air and on the ground, completing 15-of-22 passes for 168 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while also rushing five times for 45 yards and another score.
Entering play Saturday, he already boasted 1,755 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
The dominant campaign is a far-cry from what the Jets have gotten out of their quarterbacks this year, specifically Fields. Through six games this season, he has completed 86-of-135 passes for 845 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Fernando Mendoza propelled Indiana to a 56-6 win over UCLA on Saturday
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Fernando Mendoza propelled Indiana to a 56-6 win over UCLA on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
Over the past two weeks, however, Fields managed just 15-net passing yards across six consecutive quarters. With numbers like those, Johnson acknowledged that the Jets' offense has no real shot at success.
"It's hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he's got,” he said. “I mean, he has ability, but something just is not jiving. ... You have to play consistently at that position, and that's what we're going to try to do for the remainder of the season.
"If we can just complete a pass, it would look good,” he added of the offense. “You know, we got to complete some passes, you got to convince them that you can do something. Otherwise it’s hard to have a game that you can win.”
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While playing in the Big Apple poses its own set of unique challenges, those who know Mendoza best believe that the 21-year-old would be able to handle the pressure.
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Speaking to Jet X, David Dunn — Mendoza’s former coach at Christopher Columbus High School — said: “He’s wired the right way. He’s one of those young men who has a laser focus and does a great job of blocking out the outside noise.
“I feel that he is going to adjust well to the professional game. I think he has outstanding coaching at IU.
"Coach [Curt] Cignetti and his staff have really developed him into a top-flight quarterback that I think will have all the tools necessary to have a high level of success at the professional level, regardless of the scheme.”