The Las Vegas Raiders‘ top decision-makers were spotted on the sidelines at Hard Rock Stadium Monday night, closely observing Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a projected No.1 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Raiders owner Mark Davis, general manager John Spytek, and minority owner Tom Brady were all in attendance for the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Miami Hurricanes, a game that could cap off Mendoza‘s Heisman Trophy-winning season with a title.
The presence of Davis, Spytek, and Brady, three figures deeply involved in the organization’s future, underscores how seriously Las Vegas is considering Mendoza as the cornerstone of its franchise.
The Raiders have the No.1 overall pick in the April draft after a disappointing 3-14 season, and the opportunity to land a franchise quarterback has quickly become the defining narrative of the team’s offseason.
Why securing Mendoza could change everything for Las Vegas
Indiana‘s Mendoza has transformed into one of college football’s most compelling stories. After transferring from the University of California, Berkeley, he led the Hoosiers to a 15-0 season and a spot in the national championship, throwing for 3,349 yards with 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
His performance earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, and widespread acclaim as the top quarterback prospect in the draft class.
Mendoza‘s rise has been so steep that he is widely viewed as the clear favorite to be the first player chosen in April, especially after Oregon‘s Dante Moore elected to return to college for another season.
That decision effectively removed the only remaining contender for the top spot, leaving Mendoza as the most likely choice and pushing his odds to near certainty among many draft analysts.
For the Raiders, who have lacked a long-term answer at quarterback since the Derek Carr era ended in 2022, the matchup offered an unrivaled opportunity to see Mendoza perform under pressure.
Las Vegas‘ offseason strategy is expected to hinge on whether it believes Mendoza can be a franchise-defining signal-caller.
Brady‘s involvement adds a layer of intrigue. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and new minority owner has been publicly involved in Las Vegas‘ football operations and coaching search, a role that includes helping shape the vision for the team’s next era.
Scouting prospects live, particularly in marquee games, also gives teams insights that aren’t always evident on tape.
The College Football Playoff national championship, which pitted the undefeated Hoosiers against a Miami Hurricanes squad playing in its home stadium, was a perfect case study for evaluators.
Whether Mendoza ultimately becomes a Raider remains to be seen, but Monday night’s attendance by Davis, Spytek, and Brady made one thing unmistakably clear: the organization is allin on evaluating the Heisman Trophy winner as a potential franchisechanging talent.
