Fernando Mendoza to Raiders in NFL Draft Has Maxx Crosby 'Fired Up' Ahead of 2026 Season

Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby was excited to become teammates with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

"When he came on his visit, I got to chop it up with him a little bit," Crosby said during Tuesday's episode of his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby (2:48 mark). "And then draft night, got to get on FaceTime and talk to him and we've been texting back and forth ever since then. I'm really fired up for him, excited to take him under my wing and help him out and show him the way. Just encourage him to be himself and lead in his own way. So, fired up for him and his family."

The Raiders' selection of Mendoza didn't come as a major surprise, as he wrapped up a 2025 season at Indiana in which he earned Heisman Trophy honors and helped lead the Hoosiers to a national championship.

He completed 72.0 percent of his throws for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns compared to six interceptions during his junior year while also rushing for 276 yards and seven more scores.

Mendoza and Crosby almost weren't teammates in Las Vegas, as the Raiders agreed to trade the five-time Pro Bowler to the Baltimore Ravens in a blockbuster swap on March 6 before the Ravens later backed out of the deal.

Instead, Crosby will look to put together another strong season after racking up 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2025.