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Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza.

After winning the National Championship last season, the Indiana football program was invited to the White House to celebrate their achievement. The biggest name on that team was quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was the No. 1 pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.

It has become standard for American sports teams to visit the White House after winning a championship, but Mendoza wasn’t able to make it. While his team celebrated, he was back in Las Vegas getting ready for the NFL season.

President Donald Trump was hoping he’d attend, but understood that the quarterback had to focus on his training.

“Starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza … he didn’t show up. I’m not happy, but that’s okay. The reason he didn’t is because he’s at spring training, right?” Trump said at the event.

President Trump claimed that he spoke to Mendoza, who he also said is a fan of his. Whether or not the quarterback gives more insight as to why he didn’t show up remains to be seen. In the past, many athletes have decided against visiting President Trump’s White House due to the polarizing nature of his administration.

Mendoza Explained Why He Couldn’t Go

Regardless of political leanings, many look at visiting the White House as a great honor. Mendoza likely would’ve wanted to support his teammates as they celebrated their achievement.

However, Mendoza knows that he’s got a lot of work to do. He wasn’t ready to start missing practice this early in his NFL career.

“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I’ve got to prove myself,” Mendoza told the media previously. “I can’t miss practice. I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look. I want to try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

The Raiders likely wouldn’t have minded Mendoza going on the visit, but it goes to show how committed he is to being ready for the 2026 season.

Mendoza May Have to Wait to Start

Though Mendoza is practicing hard, he may not have a realistic chance to start this season. The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and have said they’re not super eager to play a rookie quarterback right out of the gate.

Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson believes the Raiders should allow Cousins to start for a season.

“I think Kirk’s going to have to fumble that opportunity away,” Burleson told Sports Illustrated. “[Mendoza is] not going to beat out Kirk Cousins right now. Kirk is still a veteran quarterback, and if you look at the money they paid him, he’s going there to play quarterback. You don’t pay a guy that much just to teach a young buck how to throw the ball.”

Now, if Mendoza is clearly the better quarterback in training camp, it’s going to be difficult to justify keeping him off the field. He’s still got a lot to prove, but Cousins is going to have his work cut out for him.