The Las Vegas Raiders dropped their 2026 schedule release video on Thursday night, and while the cinematic homage to "Step Brothers" had fans laughing, it was quarterback Fernando Mendoza who stole the show with a nickname that's pure gold.
In the video, Mendoza and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins recreated the iconic "Did we just become best friends?" scene from the Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly comedy. But the real magic happened when the two signal-callers introduced their alter egos.
"You're gonna have to call me 'Kirko Chains,'" Cousins said with a grin.
Mendoza didn't miss a beat. "Cool. You're gonna have to call me 'The Nandalorian.'"
The Star Wars-inspired moniker—a clever twist on the hit Disney+ series "The Mandalorian"—was an instant hit. Even if you're not a fan of the galaxy far, far away, it's hard not to appreciate the creativity. Here's hoping "The Nandalorian" sticks beyond the schedule release hype.
The friendly banter between Mendoza and Cousins also offered a glimpse into their locker room chemistry. Despite the looming quarterback competition, the two appear to share a genuine rapport—a promising sign for a team navigating a transition at the most important position on the field.
Whether Mendoza will be under center for Week 1 remains one of the Raiders' biggest storylines. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the pressure is on. But head coach Klint Kubiak has been clear about his philosophy with rookie quarterbacks.
"Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1," Kubiak said before the draft. "You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go."
Cousins brings years of experience to the table, but his recent performance has shown signs of decline. That opens the door for Mendoza to make a serious push for the starting job. For now, though, the rookie is winning fans with his personality—and a nickname that's as sharp as his arm.