Fernando Mendoza Reveals Key Piece of Advice From Tom Brady Ahead of Rookie NFL Season with Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza has gotten "a lot of advice" from Raiders minority owner Tom Brady ahead of his rookie NFL season, he recently told People.com's Rachel Raposas and Lizzie Hyman.

"The one thing that he always says is that, hey, you're in your early 20s and making sure you do everything possible to be successful and, and to best serve your teammates and not let your teammates down," Mendoza told Raposas and Hyman about Brady's advice.

"Making sure you're making all those decisions to the North Star and to best serve your teammates and to become the best quarterback you can become in order to help the team."

Brady was approved as a minority owner of the Raiders in October 2024, about a year and a half before the franchise selected Mendoza at the top of the 2026 draft.

The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star recently spoke about the Raiders' quarterback room, which features Mendoza, Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell, in a Wednesday appearance on FOX Business' The Claman Countdown.

"I love Fernando, but Fernando's like every other young rookie: he's got to go out there and earn it, like everybody else," Brady said.

Brady continued, "I'm excited about the opportunity for our team to have him as the first overall pick. He's done a lot of hard work to get to this point. But at the same time, like everyone at their age, none of these young players, none of these rookies, have ever had a meaningful snap in the NFL.

"Their career, and their journey, will be determined by the work that they put in, by the adversities that they overcome, by the kind of teammate and player that they are."

Mendoza could potentially get his first look at NFL action when the Raiders' preseason slate begins next month.

The Raiders are set to play the Arizona Cardinals at home Aug. 13 and the Houston Texans on the road Aug. 20 before wrapping up the preseason with an Aug. 27 home game against the San Francisco 49ers.