NEED TO KNOWFernando 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."
"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
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.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home and so did my parents, it’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation," he told Rich Eisen on SportsCenter on Monday, April 20.
“I wanted to stay and make the memory of everyone who poured into my football journey,” the former Indiana quarterback said. “Mentors, coaches, family, friends. I want to share that moment with all of them it’s gonna be the best memory that I can make rather than limit it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh.”
Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now!
In December 2025, Mendoza told PEOPLE how his mom has impacted life and football career. “It's that unwavering optimism that she gives me that really helps me go through my day,” Mendoza, who works with the National MS Society on behalf of his mom, said. “And she's so special to me. And to see her is such an inspiration to me. I'm so lucky to have someone like that in my life.”
This year's NFL draft runs through Saturday, April 25, in Pittsburgh.