Fernando Mendoza makes promise to Raiders, speaks about being mentored by Tom Brady

Ahead of the NFL scouting combine, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza insisted that he would "be blessed and honored to play for" a Las Vegas Raiders side that is widely expected to make him the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

While speaking with reporters at the combine on Friday, Mendoza shared a promise to the Raiders and to Las Vegas fans regarding what seems to be an inevitable marriage. 

Fernando Mendoza, Raiders have already had a "fantastic" interview

"I was lucky to have a formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders," Mendoza explained, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "It was a fantastic interview. Went over some of my previous plays, drew up some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting. I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft. But I’m just excited for the opportunity, and whatever team drafts me, I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them."

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky recently raised some eyebrows when he suggested that Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Ty Simpson produced "more impressive" game film than Mendoza this past college season. That said, there continues to be zero indication that Raiders general manager John Spytek and recently hired head coach Klint Kubiak will truly consider passing on Mendoza. 

Spytek and Kubiak hinted via comments they offered at the combine that they are quite high on Mendoza. Some previously speculated that Las Vegas could attempt to complete a blockbuster trade for Baltimore Ravens starter Lamar Jackson, but such chatter quieted down before Mendoza met with the Raiders this week. 

Fernando Mendoza is looking forward to "fantastic" Tom Brady opportunity

Earlier in the week, Spytek mentioned that seven-time Super Bowl champion and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady will serve as a mentor for a young quarterback acquired by the club this offseason. On Friday, Mendoza revealed that he was able to say "a brief 'hi' on the phone with Brady" during his formal interview with the Raiders.

"Who hasn’t admired Tom Brady? More Super Bowl rings than anybody," an excited Mendoza said, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "So, that opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, is the best quarterback of all time by a wide margin. And to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much. Especially to learn, and I’m all about learning, so Day 1, I’ve got to learn a lot. It’s going to be a long journey. And to potentially have a mentor like that would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful."

Mendoza added that he was looking forward to "hopefully one day" learning from Brady. The Raiders almost certainly will make that dream a reality for Mendoza on the night of April 23.