It’ll be interesting to see where Fernando Mendoza ends up. He’ll likely go to a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Jets. But what about the Miami Dolphins?
James Trefry of Dolphins Wire listed Mendoza as an early candidate to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026:
“Fernando Mendoza (Indiana Hoosiers)
For now, Mendoza is the consensus top quarterback expected to be available in the 2026 NFL draft. Depending on where the Dolphins will be selecting, there’s a good chance they’d have to trade up to land Mendoza if he’s the player they want. There are a few quarterback-needy teams, like the Jets and Raiders, that currently have a worse record than Miami.”
The Dolphins need a young franchise quarterback to build around, and Mendoza might be that guy.
Fernando Mendoza Linked to the Miami Dolphins
Spotlighting His Career
Fernando Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. During his career there, he passed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and a score. He originally committed to play college football at Yale University before choosing the University of California, Berkeley.
Mendoza would play two seasons at Cal. In 2024, he was the third-leading passer in the ACC with 3,004 passing yards. He also accounted for 18 total touchdowns. In addition, he led the Bears to six wins and a bowl game in their first season as members of the ACC.
Fernando Mendoza had several memorable performances in 2024. He threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 road win at Auburn. Plus, he had 285 passing yards and two scores in the Bears’ 39-38 loss to then-No. 8 Miami. In addition, Mendoza led a comeback and a 98-yard winning touchdown drive for a 24-21 victory over Stanford in his final game with the Bears.
Mendoza transferred to Indiana before this season, replacing Kurtis Rourke. He has put together a spectacular 2025, throwing for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for six scores.
Mendoza was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and won the Heisman Trophy. He also led an unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Tua’s Replacement?
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has struggled mightily this season, throwing a league-leading 15 interceptions. After the Pittsburgh Steelers eliminated the Dolphins from playoff contention in Week 15, Tagovailoa was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.
Miami will probably move on from Tagovailoa in 2026. Ewers, who was a seventh-round pick, could develop into a solid player, but he likely isn’t the long-term answer.
Fernando Mendoza could certainly be the answer. The Dolphins currently hold the 10th overall pick. That means they’d have to trade up to land Mendoza as Trefry alluded to.
It’s unclear, though, what the Dolphins would have to give up in a trade. They should consider such a deal. Fernando Mendoza is a great pocket passer who rarely makes mistakes with the football. Plus, he possesses the intelligence, maturity, and dual-threat ability to be a franchise quarterback in South Beach.
Main Image: Matthew O’Haren – Imagn Images
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