Fernando Mendoza says Tom Brady told him the 'two variables' to being a good leader in the NFL
Fernando Mendoza was able to lean on Tom Brady for some leadership advice.
In April, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to bet their future on the right arm of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. After being selected by the team with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza is expected to lead the franchise — both on and off the field — for many years to come.
That prospect could be daunting for most rookie quarterbacks. Thankfully, Mendoza has Raiders minority owner Tom Brady to offer up some advice. Mendoza had lunch with Brady and rapper Travis Scott, where the trio talked about leadership, accountability and business , according to Sports Illustrated.
While Mendoza said the meeting with “private,” he did reveal some advice he received from Brady on what it means to be a good leader in the NFL. “The one biggest thing that I thought was awesome was when Tom talked about leadership and the two variables that you need to be a great leader. One, care about your teammates, and second, care about the team’s goals.
It’s not about being a Pro Bowler, being a star player. It’s about caring about your teammates, who they are and caring about winning, and the team’s ultimate goal, which is to win a championship. ” Both of those “variables” track with Brady’s career.