Most expect the Las Vegas Raiders will take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.
The move just makes too much sense to not happen with Geno Smith struggling as badly as he did in 2025.
Mendoza himself even believes he’s going to be the pick, which makes what he said about seven-time Super Bowl champion and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady during a press conference at the NFL combine this week all the more intriguing.
Mendoza seemingly believes it’s just a matter of time until he gets some 1-on-1 time with Brady, and he sent a loud and clear message to the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“I was able to say a brief hi to Brady on the phone, so that was very special for me,” Mendoza gleefully told reporters. “And I look forward to meeting him in person one day and learn from him.”
But that wasn’t all Mendoza said about his future boss.
He also gushed over Brady’s legendary career while raving about the opportunity to be mentored by who many consider the greatest quarterback of all time.
“I mean, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady, guys?” Mendoza continued. “I mean, more Super Bowl rings than anybody. That opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin and to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much.
“And especially to learn, and I’m all about learning. So from day one, I got to learn a lot. It’s going to be a long journey. And to have — potentially — have a mentor like that, it’d be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.”