If you’re noticing a theme to the Raiders’ offseason so far, give yourself a big slap on the back.
For those of you who haven’t picked up on it, let’s make this abundantly clear.
Nearly everything the Raiders are doing is to create a safe haven for Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy-winning Indiana quarterback destined to land in Las Vegas as the top overall pick in next month’s draft.
Just call it Operation Fernando.
And it’s overseen by none other than Tom Brady, the Raiders’ minority owner and de facto president of football operations.
Yes, John Spytek, the general manager, is front and center in decision-making and shaping the Raiders roster.
He’s off to a brilliant start by maximizing the return on Maxx Crosby, who was traded to the Ravens for two first-round picks, and signing Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor, Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, Packer linebacker Quay Walker, and resigning edge rusher Malcolm Koonce in the opening hours of free agency on Monday.
But Brady is right smack in the middle of everything, with Operation Fernando as his most important project.
“I mean, he’s the best ever to do it,” Spytek said at the NFL scouting combine. “So, I think whoever the quarterback is that’s playing for the Raiders has a unique opportunity to learn from the best.”
No one knows the quarterback spot better than the G.O.A.T himself, but it goes beyond the assistance Brady will lend Mendoza on the intricacies of playing the most important position in sports.
The expertise Brady also brings is the understanding of what a quarterback needs around him to succeed. That very insight is driving the Raiders in preparation for welcoming Mendoza to the family.
It powered their decision to hire Klint Kubiak, the top offensive coach on the market, as their next head coach. Kubiak then doubled and tripled down on offensive support, adding thinkers and innovators and up-and-coming offensive minds like Mike McCoy, Rick Dennison, and Andrew Janocko to his coaching staff.
And it motivated them to use the first day of free agency on Monday to blow out the center market by giving Linderbaum a record-breaking contract that will pay him $27 million per season over the next three years.
To put that in perspective, the former Ravens’ lineman soared $9 million over the $18 million per season that the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey is making.
Up until Monday, Humphrey was the highest-paid center in the history of the game. Linderbaum doesn’t just surpass Humphrey; he’s now the highest-paid interior offensive lineman of all time.
Getty Images
What motivated the Raiders to go above and beyond to reel in Linderbaum with a Godfather-type offer, then bet on the potential of an up-and-coming wide receiver like Nailor on a three-year $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed?
Because they understand that Mendoza is the most important asset in recent club history, and they’ll be damned if they don’t do everything in their power to build the necessary infrastructure and support system to help him prosper.
In short, the Raiders are determined not to repeat the mistake that so many other teams have committed over the years with first-round quarterbacks: adding them to the fold and then completely fumbling their development by lining them up behind terrible offensive lines, an insufficient supporting cast, and bad coaching.
“More organizations failed those kids than those kids failed the organizations,” Syptek said in Indiana.
The Raiders don’t want to add to that sorry track record. Their moves this offseason reflect that motivation. This is much like the way the Commanders built a support system for Jayden Daniels two years ago, and the Bears and Patriots did last offseason for Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
Linderbaum, a consistent top-three NFL center during his four-year career and by far the best interior lineman on the market, immediately lifts the Raiders’ offensive line. That group will also get a boost from the return of left tackle Kolton Miller and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, both of whom missed significant time last year.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The entire unit will get a big push from Dennison, the long-time offensive line coach who has a history of molding and developing strong, cohesive front walls.
A sturdy offensive line benefits Mendoza in so many ways, not the least of which is providing him protection. But it should also lead to much better run blocking for dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty.
A solid run game is a quarterback’s best friend, especially a young one still learning and developing.
Nailor is a favorite in the football analytics world, a speedster whose precise route running allows him to create separation on opposing defenders.
The numbers might not jump out at you — 69 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons. But he was also playing in a crowded Vikings receiver room that included stars Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Raiders believe they are getting a wide receiver with breakout ability; all he needs is more playing time.
The 15.4 yards per catch Nailor averages will fit perfectly alongside Raiders’ tight end Brock Bowers. Expect both to become great friends of Mendoza.
None of those moves came at the expense of the defense, which the Raiders invested in heavily over the last two days by trading for Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, adding Dean, Paye and Walker and resigning Koonce and cornerback Eric Stokes to deals worth a combined $126.2 million.
Spytek and Brady understand it takes a village to raise a quarterback.
“Obviously, a great offensive line, a run game, all the things that can limit his chances to really get killed. And a great defense too, because if he doesn’t feel like he’s got to go out there and score 35 points every week, I think that’s helpful.”
None of this guarantees Mendoza will be successful. Plenty of variables will play into that, chief among them Mendoza’s ability to make the transition to the NFL.
But the Raiders are determined not to be the reason he fails.
Everything they have done this offseason reflects that, including their blazing start to free agency.