Fernando Mendoza's first viral Las Vegas Raiders moment came before he ever took a regular-season snap, and it involved a respectful greeting that Tom Brady shut down quickly.
The Las Vegas Raiders released behind-the-scenes NFL Draft footage as part of their "Behind the Shield" series, giving fans another look at how the franchise landed its quarterback.
Mendoza's call with Brady became one of the lighter moments from the episode. The exchange also showed the tone Brady wants with the rookie.
Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
The Las Vegas Raiders footage showed Mendoza speaking with Brady on FaceTime after the quarterback was drafted.
Mendoza greeted the seven-time Super Bowl champion by calling him "Mr. Brady," a natural show of respect from a rookie talking to one of the most accomplished players in NFL history.
Brady corrected him with a smile, telling Mendoza he could call him Tom because "Mr. Brady" is reserved for his father.
The moment worked because it softened what could otherwise be an intimidating call. Brady is now tied to the Raiders as a minority owner and mentor figure, while Mendoza enters the league as the franchise's new quarterback.
Mendoza was selected first overall by the Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the centerpiece of a new era in Las Vegas. The former Indiana quarterback had already spoken before the draft about how much Brady's mentorship would mean to him.
The Raiders' quarterback setup also makes the Brady connection more interesting. Klint Kubiak is leading the team as head coach, while veteran Kirk Cousins was added to the quarterback room to give Mendoza another experienced voice as he adjusts to the NFL.
Brady's role does not mean Mendoza gets an easy path. During the pre-draft process, Mendoza said Brady had made clear he would push him rather than simply offer praise, which is exactly what a young quarterback would expect from someone with Brady's standards.
The FaceTime correction was small, but it captured the relationship neatly. Mendoza showed respect, Brady removed the formality, and the Raiders gave fans an early glimpse at how their rookie quarterback is being welcomed into the building.
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