Would Jets Draft QB Fernando Mendoza? 'When You're Desperate,' Says NFL Exec

It's no secret that the New York Jets have struggled to find a franchise quarterback, and some around the NFL feel they could make a hasty decision to rectify that in the 2026 draft.

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported on Sunday that there's "already a growing buzz" about the Jets being linked to Indiana star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but there's still a question as to whether he's worthy of a top-10 pick. However, a longtime personnel executive suggested that the team could overlook that question in hopes of fixing its longstanding quarterback woes.

"When you're desperate, you can create a guy," the exec told Cimini. "There's enough with Mendoza to do that."

Mendoza is projected to be the first quarterback to hear his name called in the 2026 draft. B/R's NFL Scouting Department listed him as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 4 overall player in its latest draft big board and predicted that he would be selected No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Saints in its mock draft.

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However, ESPN's Matt Miller has the Jets trading up for Mendoza at No. 1 in his latest mock draft, and Cimini pointed out that their scouts "are paying a lot of attention to Mendoza," with first-year general manager Darren Mougey watching him play in person at least once.

Mendoza's star power has skyrocketed this season as he's lead Indiana to an 11-0 record and the No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25. He's completed 73.0 percent of his passes for 2,641 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 216 rushing yards and five more scores.

The Jets could surely use that type of production as their ongoing rebuild continues, but it remains to be seen if Mendoza will be their guy.