Fernando Mendoza’s Rookie Edge With Raiders? Access to Tom Brady 

Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in April’s 2026 NFL Draft, is soaking up as much knowledge as he can from Tom Brady, whose presence in Las Vegas as a franchise minority owner continues to expand.

“With Tom, as our relationship’s growing, [I’ve been] asking more questions, and he’s been able to give firsthand a lot of advice that has happened in his career,” Mendoza told Front Office Sports. “And also advice when he’s come out to OTAs, seeing the way I play, that firsthand advice as well.”

Brady acquired about a 5% ownership stake in the Raiders in 2024. Las Vegas majority owner Mark Davis has relied heavily on the seven-time Super Bowl champion for football decisions, including the hirings of GM Jon Spytek and new coach Klint Kubiak, as well as former coach Pete Carroll, who was fired after his lone season in 2025. 

Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, isn’t guaranteed to start Week 1 for the Raiders, who in March signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a deal that guarantees him $20 million for the 2026 season. Mendoza’s rookie contract is projected to be worth $57.2 million over four years, but he hasn’t signed it yet.

Both Mendoza and Cousins are benefiting from Brady’s expertise, though.

“We had a question the other day that we were in the quarterback room later at night … about a specific concept and we were all there,” Mendoza said. “Kirk was able to voice-memo Tom real quick, and he got back to us, and it was a great answer that we took a lot from.”

Brady’s involvement with the Raiders’ football operations—everything from scouting to working on throwing mechanics—will continue to be in the spotlight thanks to his additional job serving as Fox’s No. 1 NFL game analyst. That role initially created controversy, but last season the league loosened some of its restrictions on Brady interacting with the NFL’s other 31 teams.

“Tom and I have talked about technique before, and the way that he understands the technique of throwing a football and how it looks at an elite level is like something I’ve never heard,” Mendoza said.

Brady in November told FOS his various minority ownership stakes in pro sports teams were about playing “more of a mentorship role” and trying to “provide my insight wherever necessary to help us go out there and compete.”

Meanwhile, Brady’s free weekly newsletter, called “199,” has become appointment reading for Mendoza, who’s been trying to catch up on previous editions dating back to last year.

“I make sure I read all the newsletters,” Mendoza said. “Right now, I’m like halfway done-ish. Try to read one every single night—a part of my nightly reading. That’s like my book for now.”

Mendoza said Raiders director of performance Alex Guerrero—Brady’s longtime body coach—has also been “a fantastic resource.” 

One health matter Mendoza and Brady share in common? No coffee. “I never was able to really rely on caffeine,” Mendoza said. “I always thought it was better to get a good night’s sleep and not to cheat that process.”

Mendoza on NFL Life and NIL

Last week, the Raiders concluded minicamp and broke for the summer break before training camp begins in late July.

“The professionalism and business of the sports—and in the building—is at a level I’ve never experienced before, but also in a good way,” Mendoza said of his transition from college football to the NFL. “Everybody’s about their business. They understand how serious this is, rather than people in college have different priorities.”

As a pro, Mendoza has continued to work with several companies he launched NIL deals with in college, like Royal Canin pet food—he said his family’s yellow lab Scout would make a great fullback—and LinkedIn, where his connection requests are mounting up despite taking down his “open to work” banner after getting drafted.

While Indiana looks to build on its first college football national championship, Mendoza said he eventually plans on giving back to the school financially, but currently has higher priorities.

“I’m definitely gonna consider it in the future,” Mendoza said. “However, as of now, I’m just trying to focus on Raiders football. I love to get back. And I actually did give a donation to the University of Miami as they’re trying to fight MS (Multiple Sclerosis). That’s a cause that’s a little bit more dear to my heart, to be completely honest, more than the transfer portal.”