Tom Brady Reacts to Fernando Mendoza Joining Raiders with No. 1 NFL Draft Pick in Trending Post

Seven-time Super Bowl champion, ex-NFL quarterback and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady offered his congratulations on social media to all the new rookies soon after the NFL draft began Thursday. He also gave a special shoutout to the Silver and Black's new signal-caller, Fernando Mendoza, who went first overall.

"Congratulations to all the rookies who are joining the NFL this weekend. I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you've earned it through hard work, discipline, and determination. You've made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey that has supported you.

"But this is just the beginning. When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career will be defined by what happens going forward. You'll need to take everything you do to the next level in order to compete with the world's best.

"Welcome to Las Vegas Fernando Mendoza. Time to get to work. @Raiders."

Mendoza, who watched the draft surrounded by family and friends in his home city of Miami, was "ecstatic" to be a Raider.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department listed Mendoza first among quarterbacks and third overall on its final big board.

Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and a national championship in 2025. The Heisman Trophy winner completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards (9.3 YPA), 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He rushed for 276 yards and seven touchdowns as well.

It's a new era in town with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak running the show as head coach and Mendoza the heir apparent at QB1. The Raiders did sign veteran Kirk Cousins and gave him $20 million guaranteed, and one can guess he might be running the show to start until Mendoza is ready to go.

The future looks bright in Vegas, though, with Mendoza waiting in the wings.