jared goff
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Jared Goff hugging Jimmy Garoppolo.
Despite the Las Vegas Raiders having a need at quarterback, there have been a lot of pushes for them to trade the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. For whatever reason, many pundits don’t want to see Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza on the Raiders.
The team has a lot of needs, so there’s some logic in them trading down to pick up more draft picks. What doesn’t make sense is trading the pick for a veteran quarterback. That didn’t stop Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report from floating an idea of the Raiders trading the No. 1 pick to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Jared Goff.
“The Raiders have the money and go for the surer thing. The Lions try an immediate reset with presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza,” Gagnon wrote.
This is a nonsensical idea. Many have compared Mendoza to Goff coming into the NFL. Why would the Raiders give up Mendoza for an older and more expensive Goff? It makes no sense in the slightest. Perhaps if the Raiders got Goff and a couple of valuable draft picks, then it could at least be somewhat justifiable. A straight-up swap would be one of the most questionable trades in NFL history. It’s not going to happen.
Lamar Jackson Trade Also Pitched
The Goff trade wasn’t the only thing Gagnon pitched. He also suggested the Raiders could trade the No. 1 pick for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“The Raiders have the money and go for the surer thing. The Ravens try an immediate reset with presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza,” Gagnon wrote.
Now, this trade would at least make some sense. Jackson is still in his 20s, he’s a two-time MVP and would bring a lot of excitement to a Las Vegas fan base that hasn’t embraced the Raiders.
Giving the No. 1 pick is a steep price, but Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Mendoza isn’t a sure thing, but Jackson is. It’s unlikely this deal will actually materialize, but it would be something the Raiders had to think about.
Mendoza Addresses Raiders Rumors
With the Raiders being a rebuilding team that hasn’t won a playoff game in over 20 years, it makes a lot of sense to build around a young quarterback. He had a chance to meet with the Raiders and gave some details about how it went.
“I was lucky to have a formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Went over some of my previous plays, drew up some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting. I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft, but I’m just excited for the opportunity, and whatever team drafts me I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them.”
There are still a couple of months to go before the Raiders have to make a decision, but all signs are pointing to them wanting to take Mendoza in April.