We asked AI to predict Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path. Here are the results
We asked AI to predict Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path. Here are the results
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYThu, April 16, 2026 at 10:08 AM UTC
2
Two things are true when it comes to the future: you don't know what it holds and you would like to know what it holds.
Everyone is different, but there is clearly a market for the fortune teller profession. If there weren't, we wouldn't have random genies at arcades attempting to signal what is coming next. Fortune cookies wouldn't exist. The psychic industry would cease to exist, and don't even get us started on the Magic 8-Ball.
The modern world has gifted us plenty of conveniences and luxuries, things that would've been unimaginable previously. One of them is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which often replaces organic intelligence in the name of convenience.
Whatever the reason, USA TODAY Sports has enjoyed peeling back the curtain behind the technology to test its skills as it relates to the NFL. After plenty of mock drafts, including one that is probably the worst of all-time, we decided to take it to a new level.
Predicting Fernando Mendoza's career ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Advertisement
We asked Microsoft Copilot to "predict Fernando Mendoza's career path, including record, awards, Super Bowl wins, teams and other key stats," to see what happened. The chatbot gave us a modern-day time capsule, which we can look back on and track its success.
1 / 0NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaFernando Mendoza career stats projected by AI
Copilot projects that Mendoza will play 14 NFL seasons and suit up for the Raiders, Vikings and Jets. It believes he will make a playoff appearance in 50% of those seasons and hoist one Lombardi Trophy.
The chatbot summed up Mendoza's career like this:
"A high‑accuracy, timing‑based franchise quarterback who peaks as an MVP and Super Bowl champion, with a long, stable, productive career," Copilot said. "Not a generational GOAT, but absolutely a franchise cornerstone and a champion."
NFL Career: 2026–2039 (14 seasons)
Teams:
Las Vegas Raiders (2026–2033)
Minnesota Vikings (2034–2037)
New York Jets (2038–2039)
Career Record as Starter: 108–83
Playoff Appearances: 7
Super Bowl Appearances: 1
Super Bowl Wins: 1
MVP Awards: 1
Pro Bowls: 4
All‑Pro Selections: 1 (Second Team)
Career Stats:
Completion %: 66.8%
Passing Yards: 47,900
TD–INT: 324–142
Passer Rating: 96.4
Fernando Mendoza career path prediction2026 — Rookie Season (Raiders) -
Record: 6–11
Stats: 3,420 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT, 63%
Shows accuracy and poise but struggles behind a shaky line.
Finishes 2nd in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
2027 — Breakout Year -
Record: 9–8 (Wild Card berth)
Stats: 4,080 yards, 27 TD, 10 INT
Raiders lose in wild-card round.
Mendoza earns his first Pro Bowl.
2028 — Ascending -
Record: 10–7
Stats: 4,300 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT
Raiders win a playoff game for the first time in years.
Mendoza is now viewed as a top‑12 QB.
2029 — MVP Season -
Record: 12–5
Stats: 4,650 yards, 38 TD, 8 INT, 70%
Wins NFL MVP.
Raiders reach AFC Championship Game but lose to a veteran powerhouse.
2030 — Regression but Still Strong -
Record: 9–8
Stats: 4,100 yards, 26 TD, 13 INT
Offensive line injuries derail the season.
2031 — Peak Efficiency -
Record: 11–6
Stats: 4,350 yards, 33 TD, 9 INT
Named second‑team All‑Pro.
Raiders lose in divisional round.
2032 — The Decline Begins -
Record: 7–10
Stats: 3,900 yards, 22 TD, 15 INT
Coaching turnover hurts development.
2033 — Final Raiders Season -
Record: 8–9
Stats: 3,750 yards, 21 TD, 12 INT
Raiders draft a QB; Mendoza hits free agency.
2034 — Minnesota Vikings era begins
A fresh start revitalizes him.
Record: 10–7
Stats: 4,200 yards, 29 TD, 11 INT
Vikings lose in wild-card round.
2035 — Super Bowl Run -
Record: 12–5
Stats: 4,450 yards, 34 TD, 9 INT
Vikings reach Super Bowl LXX, defeating the Ravens.
Mendoza wins Super Bowl MVP.
2036 -
Record: 9–8
Stats: 3,980 yards, 24 TD, 13 INT
2037 -
Record: 8–9
Stats: 3,600 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT
Vikings move on to a younger QB.
2038 — New York Jets era begins (Final stop) -
Record: 7–10
Stats: 3,200 yards, 17 TD, 12 INT
2039 — Retirement Year -
Record: 5–12
Stats: 2,450 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT
Announces retirement at age 36.
1 / 0NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaFernando Mendoza career achievements projected by AI -
1× NFL MVP
1× Super Bowl Champion
1× Super Bowl MVP
4× Pro Bowler
1× All‑Pro (Second Team)
Top‑25 all‑time in passing yards and TDs
Franchise records for Raiders and Vikings in multiple categories
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza NFL draft: AI predicts QB's career stats, awards, more
Source: “AOL Sports”
