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Tom Brady’s Plans For Fernando Mendoza Have Leaked Online

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza (Credit: IMAGN)

Fernando Mendoza has completed one of the greatest seasons in college football history. He led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season, won a National Championship, and won the Heisman Trophy.

If that wasn’t enough, he’s now projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. As such, the Las Vegas Raiders will put him at the center of their plans.

With that in mind, NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed their aspirations for the upcoming season. Apparently, Tom Brady and the Raiders’ decision-makers want an offensive-minded coach to develop their rookie:

“The Raiders are believed to be focusing on an offensive-minded to pair with the likely no. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza alongside weapons like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty,” Schultz said. “I’ve heard a lot of Klint Kubiak and Davis Webb mentioned here. Jesse Minter, a defensive-minded coach, has come up as well. But within league circles, the belief is that this will ultimately be an offensive hire,” Schultz continued. “The question is simply who that will be.”

The Raiders have a couple of promising pieces on offense. And after having a defensive-minded coach like Pete Carroll, it would certainly make perfect sense to take a different approach.

NFL Analyst Has Doubts About Fernando Mendoza

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts on stage after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Then again, as good as Mendoza was this season, some still aren’t sold on him. Notably, that includes NFL analyst Danny Parkins, who thinks the Raiders would be better off trading the pick:

“I do think trading the number one pick for a haul is almost always the right move if you have any doubt about the quarterback,” Parkins said on Fox Sports’ First Things First. “That he is not a Drake May level athlete, that he is not a natural talent like Caleb (Williams). There are some questions about Mendoza’s ceiling in the pros.”

There’s a report about the Raiders being ready to shock the league and trade for Lamar Jackson. Mendoza might be the best prospect in this class, but the bar isn’t that high.

Some argue that his being the No. 1 pick is more due to positional value than actual potential. Whatever the case, that’s a good problem to have if you’re the Raiders.

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