Fernando Mendoza went down as the first overall draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was picked this year at the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, the NFL may not view him as a star. That is, if the schedule announced is any indication.

NFL analyst Rob Parker believes the league may have quietly revealed its stance. Notably, they've left the Heisman Trophy winner completely off the primetime schedule.

"Fernando Mendoza will be a BUST don't bother watching," said Parker on FOX Sports Radio's X account. "How in the world could the NFL make a schedule and not have at least one game where we can see the first overall pick on a national level? It speaks volumes."

Parker doubled down by linking the situation back to pre-draft criticism surrounding Mendoza. Referencing earlier scouting opinions, the analyst argued that many evaluators believed Mendoza would have been only the fifth or sixth quarterback taken in a stronger draft class.

Even before the draft, not everyone was fully convinced about Mendoza as the top quarterback in the class. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky even openly called Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson his “QB1” in the class.

However, fellow NFL commentator Scott Gulbransen didn't buy Parker's comment.

NFL Analyst Believes That the Franchise is the Problem

NFL analyst and national radio host Scott Gulbransen didn't agree with Rob Parker's analogy.

For him, the decision could have more to do with the franchise and its performance last year.

"The Raiders won three games last year," said Gulbransen. "Three. Every time the league did give them a primetime window in 2025, they were unwatchable. Why on earth would Park Avenue hand them another Sunday night off a rookie quarterback’s college tape? They wouldn’t."

Notably, the Raiders’ 3–14 record in the 2025 season was one of the worst in the NFL. That is precisely what landed them the No. 1 overall pick for Fernando Mendoza.

The Raiders had multiple primetime appearances in 2025 but performed poorly, leading to low ratings and negative fan reactions. In fact, the franchise's last playoff appearance came in 2022.

Even the last head coach, Pete Carroll, had a one-year stint before retiring.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote