Tom Brady has a tall task ahead of him as he is expected to have a large role in helping the Las Vegas Raiders turn things around this offseason. And with the regular season having concluded, the teams that are not in the playoffs have turned their attention towards bettering their team.
For some, that starts with fixing the coaching staff, with there being either vacancies currently. The Raiders are one of those teams, having fired Pete Carroll after only one season.
However, they also have just as important a task coming up in April, with Las Vegas holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And with Friday night’s College Football Semifinal matchup between Oregon and Indiana, it might have made the Raiders’ decision easy. Or, should we say, Brady’s decision.
The Raiders Have An Opportunity To Draft A Potential Franchise Quarterback
GettyRaiders
Two top college quarterbacks have been battling for that No. 1 spot on draft boards, and it’s safe to say one has officially taken the lead.
And that just so happens to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Raiders traded for Geno Smith in March 2025, reuniting him with Carroll. And after signing, he agreed to a two-year, $75 million contract extension. However, his performance throughout the season was not what the team was expecting from him, leading to many expecting Las Vegas to draft a quarterback.
Mendoza is putting on a show against Oregon in the semifinals, going 17-of-20 for 177 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, along with six carries for 28 rushing yards.
And all of that is still with over 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Plus, it would make sense for Brady and Mendoza to link up in Vegas considering the young quarterback has admitted to always having looked up to the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
“Theres a lot of past that I am definitely going to forget about. I am just going to keep it to the present. The present, I would say my dream dinner guest is Tom Brady. He is somebody that I have looked up to my entire life. I really not only loved his play on the field, but his resilience and the way that he has conducted himself throughout his career,” Mendoza said on the Heisman Trophy Podcast. “I was actually born in Boston. I lived there for one year while my dad was doing his medical residency there. He has been a special role model for myself and special idol. My role model and my idol is my dad and mom. I love them to death. However, my football role model to to follow is always Tom Brady,”
Twitter Reacts To Fernando Mendoza’s Performance In Peach Bowl
“Anyone have a Fernando Mendoza Raiders jersey swap photo?,” NFL Draft Analyst Field Yates commented. “Feels like a useful thing to have ready for the next 3.5 months”
“There is no question who the #1 QB will be in the NFL Draft after tonight. Fernando Mendoza has more TDs than incompletions,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III said.
“I hope Fernando Mendoza likes Silver & Black,” ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote.
“Fernando Mendoza is a GENERATIONAL talent,” Pat McAfee stated. “I genuinely believe that.”
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