Maxx Crosby shares powerful advice for new Raiders teammate Fernando Mendoza

Those running the Las Vegas Raiders hope they acquired a franchise savior when they selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. 

Meanwhile, it wasn't all that long ago when Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby wanted to receive a fresh start with a different team. During the latest edition of his podcast, Crosby offered some advice for his new teammate. 

Maxx Crosby: Fernando Mendoza can let transition to NFL "be intimidating"

"It's a whole 'nother game, coming to the NFL, it's the highest level — there's no other level higher. And you have to realize that you're there for a reason," Crosby said while speaking about Mendoza, per Kristen Wong of Sports Illustrated. "You can't let that be intimidating. It's easy to say, but harder to do. And you just got to be 100% bought in on the process because your time, it's not on your timing. ...You don't know when it's going to be your name's going to be called. And that's one of the toughest things in this league, you know what I mean? I've seen it break a lot of people."

The Raiders seem serious about letting Mendoza develop as a backup for as long as possible while veteran Kirk Cousins starts games this coming fall. As for Crosby, he sounds committed to staying with Las Vegas at least through the start of the 2026 season after the much-discussed trade involving the Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens fell through in March. 

Crosby signed a three-year contract extension last offseason.

What Maxx Crosby has said to Fernando Mendoza after the draft

According to Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report, Crosby and Mendoza have "been texting back and forth ever since" the draft. During the latest episode of his podcast, Crosby insisted that he is "excited to take [Mendoza] under my wing and help him out and show him the way" as it pertains to being a pro. 

"I think for him, just come in and just be himself. That's what I told him. Just be yourself. Come in and do what you do," Crosby added. "...Even if you're not the starter, still carry yourself like you're the starter. ...Don't wait until you're out there on the field to go and lead. Like, even if you're the second-string guy, if you're the third-string guy, whatever it is, still be 100% yourself and let your personality show and just be authentic. I think that's the most important thing."

If the Raiders stick to their plan, Mendoza will have plenty of time to build relationships with Crosby and other teammates before the 22-year-old is asked to make the first regular-season start of his career.