Raiders eye Russell Wilson as $315m star’s Fernando Mendoza role laid bare

It appears the Las Vegas Raiders have wrapped up their major spending spree.

They have addressed multiple holes on their roster during free agency, headlined by the signing of Tyler Linderbaum, whom they made the highest-paid center in NFL history.

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The upcoming draft and wave of undrafted free agents will help to fill out other positions on the roster, but their plan at quarterback remains clear.

With the first-overall selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas is expected to select former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, which on the surface will solve their quarterback dilemma exacerbated by Geno Smith’s awful play in 2025.

However, new head coach Klint Kubiak is reportedly hesitant to throw a rookie into the starting lineup straight away, and the Raiders will likely bring in a bridge QB to mentor Mendoza during his rookie season while maintaining their competitiveness as he develops.

But would could that be? The Raiders have already been linked to Kirk Cousins, and even Derek Carr has said he would be willing to come out of retirement to serve as a mentor to Mendoza.

Now, NBC Sports’ Mike Florio has speculated on the potential fit of Russell Wilson.

“Wilson may not be inclined to once again be the three-game starter before getting the tap,” Florio wrote.

“Then again, Wilson may not have many choices. Which raises the question of whether he’s willing to take whatever he can get.

“It would make him one of the very rare former franchise quarterbacks who’ll accept being No.2 or No.3 on a depth chart.”

Wilson endured a rocky season with the New York Giants in 2025. Despite playing competently, he was eventually benched for rookie Jaxson Dart.

Accepting a back-up or depth position would represent a significant shift for a player who has earned $315 million during his career and won a Super Bowl.

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But his options have slimmed out at the age of 37. Teams who needed a starting quarterback acted fast in the first week of the new league season, and now the Raiders could be a realistic option for Wilson.

Kubiak’s Seattle Seahawks offense, that won Super Bowl LX, is known for its structure, precision and protecting the quarterback.

Throughout his career, Wilson has thrived when given freedom to improvise, but failed stints in Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York have raised questions about his current ability.

As for Mendoza, the hype is real. He has been highly touted by scouts and analysts and is already being named Las Vegas’ next franchise QB.

Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and the program’s first national championship while also taking home the Heisman Trophy.

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The apparent reluctance to throw Mendoza in straight away has disappointed some Raiders fans, but Las Vegas are making a smart choice by weighing up the addition of a veteran hurler.

It’s a foundation that is aiming to set up sustained success in Las Vegas beyond the 2026 season.

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