Tom Brady's Role in Raiders' QB Search Explained by GM Spytek at NFL Combine amid Mendoza Rumors

The Las Vegas Raiders are universally expected to use the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, giving him the chance to be mentored by the legendary Tom Brady.

Raiders general manager John Spytek said during an appearance on CBS Sports that Brady, who is a part-owner of the franchise, will be heavily involved in guiding the team's pursuit of a franchise quarterback this offseason.

"Tom's involved in everything football-wise. So, anything that we do, I let him know about and we communicate about," Spytek said. "Obviously, there's an expectation that with the first pick in the draft and all the money that we have, that he's gonna be involved in all that stuff."

While speaking to reporters earlier this week at the NFL scouting combine, Spytek revealed that he hasn't talked to veteran quarterback Geno Smith since the end of the 2025 season, signifying that he could be released this offseason. B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its mock draft that Mendoza will land with Las Vegas in April to take over as the team's quarterback of the future.

Spytek went on to add that Brady's influence won't end over the offseason, as he will lend his vast quarterback knowledge to the team's signal-caller throughout the 2026 season and beyond.

"Any quarterback we have, there's a different evaluation process, and really, what's called pressure, that comes with having Tom in the building," Spytek said. "He has an expectation for how that position needs to be played."