The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. And the legendary Tom Brady, a minority owner of the franchise, stepped in to praise the rookie quarterback.

Every year, the drafted players get to sign a Topps NOW card. The tradition continued this year. And even though Mendoza missed the draft, he did sign his draft card, “My 1st NFL Auto.” 

As per the company that makes these cards, Topps, Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is in line to buy Mendoza's autographed card.

“I’m Buying This,” Brady said on Mendoza’s first rookie card. 

It has been quite the year for the signal-caller from the Indiana Hoosiers.

Coming into college as a two-star recruit and even being offered to be a walk-on QB with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Mendoza carved his way to being the first overall pick in the NFL draft.

Played two years with the California Golden Bears before making the switch, which would go on to change his life to play football under coach Curt Cignetti. 

In his only season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza led them to a perfect unbeaten season by capping it off with the National Championship and also winning the Heisman Trophy.

He becomes the fourth QB to have won the Natty, Heisman Trophy, and go No.1 overall, after Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston, and Cam Newton. 

Now, the quarterback will play his football in Allegiant Stadium under head coach Klint Kubiak.

Interestingly, he will be under the mentorship of two great quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Kirk Cousins.

What Did Mendoza Say About Tom Brady?

Before having that phone call from John Spytek and Klint Kubiak, Fernando Mendoza had the opportunity to meet with his idol, Tom Brady.

The rookie met with Brady at the top-30 visit he had with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

"I met him in the official 30 visits at the Raiders," Mendoza said on the Dan Patrick show. "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."

The 22-year-old also gave a message for Kirk Cousins.

"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," he added.

For Mendoza, it was the Raiders, and now he gets an opportunity to closely work with Tom Brady and be ready for football in the fall.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore