Tom Brady breaks silence on how he's mentoring Raiders' Fernando Mendoza

Before Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and others associated with the franchise officially made quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, a report detailed how Mendoza was already a Brady "disciple." 

As Nick Shook of the NFL's website shared, Mendoza spoke during a recent interview with the Raiders' official YouTube channel about advice he has received from Brady since the draft. During the latest edition of "The Overlap" program, Brady revealed more information about how he has taken Mendoza under his wing. 

Tom Brady wants to hear what Fernando Mendoza needs from Raiders

"Fernando, who we chose, has the same expectation (as Peyton Manning). Fortunately, he has me there to help mentor him," Brady said, per James Shearman of HITC Sport. "I talk to him all the time and, a lot of times, I ask questions about what he needs for his development."

Reports have indicated that Brady feels Mendoza "needs" to spend at least a portion of his rookie season serving as a backup. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, Aidan O'Connell may enter September as the backup to Kirk Cousins over Mendoza. Such a situation would ensure that Mendoza wouldn't immediately play if Cousins went down with an injury. 

Tom Brady wants Fernando Mendoza focusing on "three different buckets" amid development

During his chat with the Raiders' YouTube channel, Mendoza noted how Brady said that a full-time QB1 must "have the most leadership" and also needs "to be the toughest, mentally and physically." While on "The Overlap," Brady broke down how Mendoza can meet the expectations had for him by those running the Raiders. 

"I see it as three different buckets," Brady continued. "There’s a physical development. The actual skills of throwing the football, dropping, how you’re training, and eating. There’s the mental part. What do you know about the plans, all the plays, your reads, your drops, your footwork, the strategy? How can I develop the toolkit you’re going to need to get us in the right place? And then the emotional part is always the touchy part about sports and athletes. One day, we perform great, and the next day, we’re still the same guy, but emotionally, you just don’t feel that good today. Why not? Why can’t we repeat great performances every day? There is emotional volatility to all of us, and I think the more you can minimize that, the better."

After the New England Patriots made Brady the 199th pick of the 2000 draft, he spent nearly all of his rookie season serving as a backup behind Drew Bledsoe. Brady seems convinced that what he experienced as a first-year pro helped him become the GOAT, so it's fair to assume that he will push the Raiders to keep Mendoza sidelined for at least the first half of the 2026 campaign.