The Las Vegas Raiders have a decision to make in April: Will they select Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick? Mendoza is coming off winning the Heisman Trophy and the national title, and on Jan. 23, the signal-caller declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza had a passer rating of 182.9 with 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 16 games this season, per StatMuse. As a result, the Raiders front office, including minority owner Tom Brady, was scouting Mendoza during the national title game against the Miami Hurricanes on Jan. 19.
On the Jan. 23 edition of “The Herd,” Brady spoke with host Colin Cowherd regarding his takeaway from Mendoza after seeing him up close and witnessing the player’s success this season with Indiana.
“He’s played [tremendously] all season, 16‑0, leading his team,” Brady said. “Again, he’s another guy that, when you hear him speak, I always judge quarterbacks and go, How would I have answered that? He’s just a very mature young man, and he’s got a bright future. Everybody coming into the league still [has] so much room for development.
“Nobody’s a finished product. I don’t care whether you’ve won the Heisman or you’re the 199th pick in the draft. It’s what do you do when you get there? How important is this to you? Are you obsessed with your job? Are you obsessed with being the best you can be?”
Tom Brady Talks Team Culture Amid Fernando Mendoza Link
Moreover, Brady didn’t mention the Raiders, but he did shed light on the type of team environment he would like for Mendoza and other draft prospects to enter that would help them succeed. As a result, if the Silver and Black do take the Hoosiers’ star, the minority owner shed light on what they will do to ensure that Mendoza succeeds in the NFL.
“I hope they go to environments that embrace them completely, that can help them develop into the best player they can be,” Brady added. “That’s how I grew up in the league. I found a great environment. It was all about football.
“It was about how can you be the best teammate? How can you work hard? How can you play smart? How can you play tough? How can you play well under pressure? How well can you play in tough conditions? And then, ultimately, how well can you play in Championship games? And all those things remain to be seen.”
Fernando Mendoza Talks Potential Move to Las Vegas
Additionally, Mendonza appears ready for that challenge of being the No. 1 pick and being the Raiders’ franchise QB. Still, he gave the typical response that he’d be happy to join any team.
“The Raiders have a great culture, have a great coaching staff, great ownership group,” Mendoza said on “The Today Show.” “It’s all around. Those are legit guys. I’d be happy to end anywhere.”
It will be interesting to see what the Raiders do. However, after pursuing short-term fixes, it would be ideal for them to draft a potential franchise signal-caller and not worry about the future for the foreseeable future.
Tom Brady Gets Blunt About Fernando Mendoza Amid Raiders Link