Fox broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady gives a thumbs up before an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
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Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady attended Monday’s CFP National Championship Game, a 27–21 Indiana Hoosiers victory over the Miami Hurricanes.
The Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, were keeping a keen eye on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. In a conversation with Colin Cowherd, Brady spoke about Mendoza.
What Tom Brady Said About Fernando Mendoza
“He’s played tremendous all season, 16-0, leading his team,” Brady said. “And again, he’s another guy that, you know, when you hear him speak, I always kind of judge quarterbacks. I go, ‘How would I have answered that?’ And he’s just a very mature young man, and he’s got a bright future, and everybody coming to the league. There’s still so much room for development. Nobody’s a finished product.”
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy this season and finished the season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and 72% completion rate. The 6-foot-5 Mendoza can pick up yards with his legs as well, rushing for 276 yards and seven scores.
While Mendoza’s 2025 season was impressive, Brady’s more focused on what Mendoza can do at the next level.
“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,” Brady explained. “How important is this to you? Are you obsessed with your job? Are you obsessed with being the best you can be? These young men, whether it’s Fernando or a lot of other players that were on the field the other night, they have a great opportunity to do something in their life, to enhance their family’s life, to go impact a community in a positive way by playing great football and bringing joy to the fan base. And that’s a job you take very seriously.”
Brady, who was drafted by the New England Patriots with pick No. 199 in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, went on to win six Super Bowls with the team who drafted him. The questions Brady will soon be asking Mendoza and other NFL prospects seem to be a good foreshadowing of the traits he wants the Raiders franchise to instill.
“I found a great environment, it was all about football,” Brady said. “It was about, you know, like you mentioned earlier, 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.”
Will The Las Vegas Raiders Draft Fernando Mendoza With The No. 1 Overall Pick?
The Raiders, coming off a 3–14 season, are currently without a head coach after firing Pete Carroll following his first season on the job. While there’s uncertainty as to who will be the next head coach in Las Vegas, Mendoza being drafted by the Raiders seems highly likely.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic believes “Mendoza is going No. 1.”
“Though Mendoza isn’t on the level of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye as a prospect, he has the talent to be a productive NFL starter for a long time,” Brugler said. “It would be shocking if Tom Brady and the Raiders don’t select him with the top pick.”
If the Raiders do indeed draft Mendoza, they’ll be choosing a quarterback who is already expressing admiration for the franchise.
“The Raiders have a great culture, have a great coaching staff, great ownership group,” Mendoza said this week. “It’s all around. Those are legit guys. I’d be happy to end anywhere.”