Tom Brady to shun Fernando Mendoza for ‘exciting’ QB in $110m Patriots-style rebuild

Jan 6, 2026 - 08:15

Pete Carroll has been dismissed by the Las Vegas Raiders, and Tom Brady is set to lead a big rebuild.

There was little to shout about in Sin City this season, as the franchise finished with an NFL-worst 3-14 record.

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 — Carroll has been fired by the Raiders after a dismal season

While that means the Raiders will have the No. 1 draft pick in 2026, and a great chance to improve the roster, Carroll is one-and-done in Vegas.

The team fired the 74-year-old Super Bowl XLVIII champion on what has become known as ‘Black Monday’ in the NFL.

Owner Mark Davis confirmed in a statement that general manager John Spytek, who was hired with Carroll last year, will lead football operations along with minority owner Brady.

Those duties will include overseeing the search for the team’s next coach, and the pair will likely have a big say in who to select with the first overall pick next April.

But exactly who will that be?

Tom Brady tipped to shun Fernando Mendoza for ‘exciting’ QB

Indiana Hoosiers star signal-caller, Fernando Mendoza, is the projected No. 1 pick in 2026 — and Brady has already spoken highly on him.

But according to a new mock draft from The Athletic, the Raiders could opt to take Oregon quarterback Dante Moore instead.

“It’s time for Tom Brady and company to rip the cord on a quarterback,” Nick Baumgardner wrote.

“So long as he declares, Moore would be an exciting choice. The 20-year-old QB is light on experience, but his blend of football IQ, athletic instinct, poise and arm talent is beyond his years.

“He has the right mindset for a challenge like this and offers a skill set worth investing in.”

Dante Moore #5 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during warmups prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 — A mock draft has the Raiders taking Moore with the first pick

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 — Mendoza is the projected top pick, but Las Vegas could go in another direction

The draft is still months away, of course, so don’t expect Las Vegas to lock in their choice just yet.

Dante Moore urged to ‘call’ Raiders ahead of 2026 draft

But NFL analyst Todd McShay believes that if the Raiders don’t go for Moore, the sophomore star should return to school for one more year, rather than risk going to the New York Jets at No. 2.

“Would you, or would you not, as the rep for Dante Moore, kind of reach out to the Raiders?” McShay asked, throwing out a hypothetical situation.

“Say, ‘Hey. My client is trying to make a decision. We can live with going to 30 of 32 teams. Maybe 31. But I can’t allow him to go to the New York Jets.’

“I realise, in 2027, maybe he’s the seventh pick, or fifth pick. Maybe he’s the first overall pick then, and the Jets can get him there.

“But he’s got an opportunity to go back to Oregon and make the same amount of money as he can make in his rookie contract.”

Fans of the Las Vegas Raiders show their support from the stands during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 — Raiders fans have made their feelings clear on drafting a QB at No. 1 next year

Such is the state in New York right now, that McShay added there isn’t a ‘single player’ in the upcoming draft that wants to be on the Jets.

Both Moore and Mendoza will probably be praying they are top of the Las Vegas list.

Tom Brady set for Patriots-inspired rebuild of Raiders

While the draft decision is big for Brady, the NFL legend is said to be targeting plenty more in Sin City.

According to Pro Football Talk, he is planning a New England Patriots-inspired rebuild.

Fox sports announcer Tom Brady looks on prior to the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys — Brady could turn to two familiar Patriots faces for the Raiders rebuild

That would include bringing in Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll.

According to NFL insider Mike Florio, Flores is keen on the head coach role vacated by Carroll, while Daboll would be the offensive coordinator.

Both men have extensive ties to the Patriots.

Daboll won five Super Bowls during the Brady/Belichick era, and was a defensive assistant, wide receivers coach and tight end coach in New England.

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Flores, meanwhile, spent a decade with the Patriots between 2008 and 2018, and is said to have a good relationship with Brady.

The challenge of any rebuild in Las Vegas will be eased by the amount of salary cap space available next year.

They have a number of young, talented players in place on offense already, including Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.

Veteran Maxx Crosby is a game-wrecker on defense — if the franchise can keep hold of him.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during warmups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 — The Raiders have a number of talented players, including Crosby

There is plenty of money to build around those names, with the Raiders projected to have over $110 million in cap space.

A further $8m can be freed up if they choose to release 35-year old QB Geno Smith in the coming weeks, following a dismal campaign.

Right now, the Raiders lack the key piece to the puzzle — a franchise signal caller.

But with Brady’s blueprint falling into place, the future is looking bright in Sin City.

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