Tom Brady has issued a brutal reality check to projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Indiana Hoosiers star and Heisman Trophy winner is widely expected to be selected by Brady's Las Vegas Raiders at Thursday night's event.
Brady's Ominous Warning
During an appearance on 'The Dan Patrick Show,' Mendoza recalled his meeting with Brady and their conversation about a potential future in Las Vegas. 'I met him in the official 30 visit at the Raiders. He gave me the message that he's going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey,' Mendoza said. 'And that if the Raiders draft me, he is going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have - whether it's me or whether they draft somebody else.'
Raiders' Quarterback Room
If the Raiders, who are part-owned by Brady, do draft the 22-year-old Mendoza, he will almost certainly start the season behind Kirk Cousins, who was recently recruited by the organization after an ill-fated spell with the Atlanta Falcons. They have also added Aidan O'Connell to their quarterback room and moved Geno Smith on in a trade with the New York Jets.
Speaking on Cousins, Mendoza added: 'If I'm lucky enough to go to the Raiders, I think it'll be a great opportunity to be able to learn from someone who's had so much success throughout the years and who I think has a very similar playing style as me.'
Skipping the Draft for Family
Mendoza recently revealed that he will not be attending the NFL Draft in person on Thursday and will, instead, watch the big night unfold from his home in Miami. The Heisman Trophy winner revealed that the decision was fueled by his consideration of his loved ones, specifically his mother, Elsa.
'Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,' Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show. 'It'd be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home.'
Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around 18 years ago. Her battle took a 'downhill' turn when she was diagnosed with Covid-19.
Celebrating in Miami
While the Mendoza family will not be celebrating in Pittsburgh, the quarterback insisted that they will still be throwing a party down in South Florida. He touchingly admitted that he wanted to be surrounded by those who had supported him throughout his journey.
'I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey,' Mendoza said. 'Mentors, coaches, family, friends - to be able to share that moment with all of them, is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh.'
