The Las Vegas Raiders hold the keys to the 2026 NFL Draft, but a shocking trade scenario has the team's passionate fanbase seeing red. Following two brutal seasons that yielded a dismal 7-27 record, the Silver and Black are poised to select Indiana's Heisman-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, with the first overall pick. However, a viral proposal suggesting they trade that golden ticket has been met with pure disgust from Raider Nation.
A Blockbuster Proposal That Backfired
Ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, Bleacher Report's Gridiron division floated a hypothetical blockbuster that would rock the league. The idea: The Raiders send the No. 1 and a sixth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals. In return, Vegas would receive quarterback Kyler Murray, the third overall selection in this year's draft, and a future first-rounder.
On paper, the deal offers immediate quarterback help in Murray and additional draft capital to address numerous roster holes. But for a fanbase that has endured years of frustration, the thought of passing on a potential franchise cornerstone in Mendoza for an established veteran on a different trajectory is anathema.
Fan Fury Erupts Online
The reaction from the Raiders' faithful was swift, severe, and left no room for interpretation. The proposal was universally panned as a franchise-crippling mistake.
"The Raiders. Loudly," stated Yahoo Sports analyst Jason Fitz, succinctly capturing the sentiment. Longtime Cardinals insider Mike Jurecki echoed the disbelief, commenting, "Dreaming is free. No way the Raiders make this trade."
The anger was even more palpable among the team's supporters. "Media wants us to trade the pick so bad," one fan accused online. Another declared, "Raiders put it right to voicemail," suggesting the front office wouldn't even entertain the call.
The criticism of the proposed deal's logic was scathing. "These trades are getting ridiculous. Why would we want a bum QB for a potential shot at a franchise guy?" one user questioned. "Yes, no guarantees Mendoza will be good, but there is a guarantee Murray is not HIM! Bad take." The sentiment reached its peak with a local fan's ultimatum: "If the Raiders did this trade, that entire organization should just fold instantly."
Why the Outrage Runs So Deep
The visceral reaction stems from more than just team loyalty. Fernando Mendoza represents hope—a clean slate and the potential for a decade-long solution at the sport's most important position. After the struggles of the Pierce-Carroll era, the fanbase is desperate for a new face to lead the franchise out of the desert.
Kyler Murray, despite his Pro Bowl talent, carries the baggage of his massive contract and an inconsistent tenure in Arizona. Swapping the unknown but exciting upside of Mendoza for the known, expensive quantity of Murray feels, to many, like a lateral move at best and a catastrophic step backward at worst.
Furthermore, the 2026 quarterback class is considered top-heavy, with Mendoza standing alone as the clear premier prospect. This lack of depth at the position makes the first overall pick exponentially more valuable, as there is no comparable consolation prize if they trade down. The consensus is that it would take a "historic" offer, far beyond this hypothetical, to pry the pick from Las Vegas's hands.
For now, Raider Nation is sending a clear message to the front office: the future wears silver and black, not Cardinal red. The dream of Fernando Mendoza taking the helm in Vegas is one they are not willing to trade away.
