Mendoza surged into the national spotlight during Indiana’s celebrated 2025 season, finishing 16-0 and earning the Heisman Trophy as the Hoosiers captured the national championship. The transfer from Cal last year helped fuel Indiana’s climb, and Mendoza has been widely viewed as the likely No. 1 overall pick for the Raiders.
Whitmer’s path to the NFL coaching ranks is well-documented. He began as a Yale grad assistant, spent time with Ohio State and Clemson, and served three seasons as an offensive assistant with the Chargers before moving to the Falcons in 2024 as the passing game coordinator. He had emerged as a prime candidate for Las Vegas’ offensive staff, potentially aligning Mendoza with a top-tier development track.
However, Whitmer’s NFL candidacy took a different turn this week when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired him to be their quarterbacks coach, working with Baker Mayfield. The move was confirmed through NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, ending speculation that he’d return to the Raiders.
With Whitmer off the table, the Raiders’ attention has shifted to their ongoing head-coaching process. Las Vegas has targeted Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, though he cannot officially sign until after the Super Bowl. If hired, Kubiak would be tasked with guiding Mendoza’s transition to the NFL and establishing the continuity the organization seeks at quarterback.
The development trajectory for Mendoza in Las Vegas now hinges on the new quarterback developer and the eventual coaching staff assembled by the Raiders. While Whitmer’s departure removes a direct college-to-NFL bridge, the team still hopes to deliver stability and a conducive environment for Mendoza’s growth under the soon-to-be-determined offensive leadership.
