Fernando Mendoza Reveals What Tom Brady Told Him Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Fernando Mendoza; Tom Brady Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Mitchell Leff/Getty NEED TO KNOW Fernando Mendoza said he met with Tom Brady during his visit with the Raiders The incoming NFL rookie said Brady told him he's "going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey" if the Raiders draft him Mendoza said Brady told him he's "going to be a mentor and pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have" Fernando Mendoza revealed what Tom Brady told him during their meeting ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. During a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show , Mendoza — who is widely expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, the owners of the top pick in the draft, which begins Thursday, April 23 — revealed what Raiders minority owner Brady, 48, said when the 22-year-old quarterback visited the team. "I met him in the official 30 visits at the Raiders," Mendoza began.

"It was fantastic. He gave me the message that he's going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey. " Fernando Mendoza on Dec.

6, 2025 in Indiana Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty "And if the Raiders draft me, he's going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have, whether it's me, whether they draft somebody else," the Heisman Trophy winner shared, noting the Raiders just signed 37-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins to a contract. "If I'm lucky enough to go to the Raiders, I think it'll be a great opportunity to learn from someone who has had so much success over the years, and who I think has a very similar playing style as me," said Mendoza, who revealed he's studied Cousins' style of play specifically. "He gave me the message that he's going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey – and that if the #Raiders draft me, he's going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever QB the Raiders have.

" – @fernandomendoza on meeting Tom Brady & watching Kirk Cousins film pic. twitter. com/gMlue6ERXu — Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 22, 2026 Leading up to Thursday's draft, Mendoza revealed he won't be there in person because he wants to watch with his mom, who has multiple sclerosis.