Two significant dates for the Las Vegas Raiders were announced at the end of this week, and both are on the same day…
The NFL released the offseason workout program schedule for each team on Friday morning, and the Raiders will begin on Tuesday, April 7. “Conicidentally”, as ESPN’s Ryan McFadden pointed out on X/Twitter, that coincides with expected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza’s Top 30 draft visit in Las Vegas. What are the odds!
Having these dates line up is completely within the league’s rules, and the Raiders are, wisely, taking advantage of the situation they’re in.
Since Klint Kubiak is a new head coach, Las Vegas can start its offseason program as soon as next Tuesday (the seventh) rather than having to wait until April 21, as teams that retained their head coach from last season do, according to the NFLPA’s website. Meanwhile, Top 30 draft visits have to be wrapped up by the Wednesday before the draft, which is April 15. So, had Pete Carroll gotten one more year, having these two dates line up wouldn’t have been an option.
Of course, there are limitations on what Mendoza can do during his time in Sin City. The Raiders can’t put him through a workout or have him participate in practice with the rest of the team. It’s really just an opportunity to get to know the quarterback more, maybe get some medical questions answered, introduce him to people in the facility, and talk some ball.
So, Mendoza will get an opportunity to meet some of his new teammates, assuming the Raiders don’t throw us a Barry Zito-like curveball during the draft, and will be in the building on the first day that Kubiak starts installing his offense with the rest of the team.
This comes on the heels of last week’s news, where NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said the Heisman Trophy winner is already taking steps to learn Las Vegas’ playbook. Combining these pieces of information, it seems like the organization is already doing a lot to make sure the young quarterback can hit the ground running.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- Tristin McCollum officially returning: The backup safety signed his exclusive rights tender on Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
- Keep tabs on Stanford’s Sam Roush: “So while Bowers and Mayer do provide a quality 1-2 punch for Kubiak’s Raiders, the third spot exponentially rises in importance,” S&BP’s Ray Aspuria wrote. “…The general consensus seems to be the Stanford product going in Day 3 (rounds four through seven) and if that holds true, that’ll suit Las Vegas quite well as the team has three fourth-round picks (No. 102, 117, and 134) currently at its disposal.”
- Top 5 free safety draft options: “[A.J. Haulcy] fits the ballhawk description well, recording eight interceptions over the last two seasons combined. He led the Big 12 with five picks at Houston in 2024,” via S&BP.
- Mike Mayock likes Kirk Cousins signing: “I know Klint Kubiak and their guys believe in playing a rookie quarterback when he’s ready, not necessarily Week 1,” Mayock said, via Betway. “…This now gives the Raiders the opportunity to start with a veteran. They spent a lot of money, intelligently, in free agency, and they’ve got a chance to develop Fernando Mendoza behind Kirk Cousins. So I love the fact that they don’t necessarily have to start the kid Week 1.”
