According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, the Las Vegas Raiders may pursue a veteran quarterback even if they draft Heisman Trophy-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in 2026.
The Raiders and minority owner Tom Brady may not be planning to throw their projected No. 1 overall pick directly into the starting lineup in 2026. According to Russini’s report Friday, the Raiders are expected to pursue an experienced quarterback even if, as expected, they draft Heisman Trophy-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Athletic reporter’s information, according to one analyst, raises the possibility that former Raiders starter Jimmy Garoppolo could return to Las Vegas as a short-term bridge quarterback.
Garoppolo, who started six games for the Raiders during the 2023 season, would represent a familiar option for the franchise — and an intriguing one given the team’s ownership structure. Brady spent three seasons with Garoppolo as his backup with the New England Patriots, creating a potential connection if Las Vegas decides to bring in a veteran starter while Mendoza develops.
The possibility of a Garoppolo return comes as the Raiders reshape their quarterback depth chart ahead of the 2026 season. Las Vegas on Friday moved on from veteran quarterback Geno Smith, after just one season, leaving Aidan O’Connell as the only established passer currently under contract and opening the door for the franchise to add both a rookie and a veteran option.
Assuming the Raiders select Mendoza with the top pick in the April draft, bringing in an experienced starter such as Garoppolo would allow the rookie time to develop before taking over the offense. The New England Patriots implemented a similar plan in 2024, bringing in veteran and former Patriots backup Jacoby Brissett to start ahead of their No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye. The following year, Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
Garoppolo, now 34, spent three seasons backing up Brady in New England after being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, appearing in 17 games during that stretch before eventually becoming a starter with the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl.
Tom Brady’s Role With Raiders Could Shape QB Mentorship
The Raiders’ quarterback plan also carries an intriguing connection to minority owner Brady, whose bid to purchase a stake in the franchise was approved by NFL owners in October 2024. Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, previously worked closely with Garoppolo during their time together in New England and could also play a role in mentoring Mendoza if the rookie ultimately lands in Las Vegas.
Mendoza himself endorsed that relationship in an interview with The Athletic in February.
“Who hasn’t admired Tom Brady?” the 22-year-old Mendoza said. “Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin. To be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him would mean so much, especially to learn. I’m all about learning.”
Who Are Some Other Veteran Quarterback Candidates?
According to NFL analyst Douglas Fritz of ClutchPoints, Garoppolo is one of several veteran quarterbacks the Raiders may eye as their 2026 starter ahead of their expected draft pick, Mendoza. Others include Gardner Minshew, Sam Howell and Trey Lance.
“The problem with bringing in a veteran is the notion that it’s a short-term gig with the No. 1 pick in waiting,” Fritz wrote on Friday. “That probably rules out guys like Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers. Maybe the Raiders could convince a guy like Marcus Mariota to sign.”
But the ClutchPoints analyst concluded that a Raiders signing of Garoppolo, a free agent after completing his one-year, $3 million contract backing up Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams, appears more likely along with those other QBs now looking for new starting opportunities, according to Fritz.
Jimmy Garoppolo Could Reunite With Tom Brady in Surprise Raiders QB Plan