Tom Brady predicted to snub Fernando Mendoza in draft and trade for $260m NFL MVP instead

Fernando Mendoza went 16-0 and won a national championship at Indiana.

But even that might not be enough to guarantee Mendoza’s NFL future — and the top quarterback spot with Tom Brady‘s Las Vegas Raiders.

getty

Which MVP QB could the Raiders target?

Brady’s initial two years a hands-on minority owner with the Raiders have been a football failure.

Las Vegas has burned through two head coaches, recently firing Pete Carroll after just one season, and the Raiders are a combined 7-27 the last two years.

The only reward for the weekly losing is the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

While the Steelers search for a new head coach and evaluate Aaron Rodgers‘ future, the Raiders are officially on the clock with the top pick.

Las Vegas also needs a franchise QB, especially after giving Geno Smith a two-year, $75 million deal and going 3-14 last year while angering star defender Maxx Crosby.

As Indiana fought off Miami 27-21 for an undefeated season and a tough victory in the College Football Playoff championship on Monday, a new report opened up a different QB path for Brady’s Raiders — and it did not involve taking Mendoza at No. 1.

“In theory, the Raiders and the Ravens (or anyone else and the Ravens) could agree to the terms of a Lamar Jackson trade at any time, with the understanding that it will be finalized on March 11, the first day of the league year,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said.

“If Brady wants to take a big swing and if Jackson is ready to take his bat and ball to a new city, it’s something to keep an eye on.”

Lamar Jackson needs an NFL reset

Ignoring the misplaced baseball connection, the fact is that Jackson ended the season at odds with the Ravens and is expected to seek another new contract.

With Baltimore moving on from John Harbaugh as head coach — the ex-Raven now leads the New York Giants — Jackson could be in play for QB-needy teams.

getty

getty

The Houston Texans, a franchise with a strong defense but poor play at QB, could also explore Jackson’s future in Baltimore.

But it’s the Raiders who would really shake up the NFL with a trade for Jackson.

The two-time NFL MVP has made four Pro Bowl teams and earned three All-Pro honors.

Jackson, 29, is coming off a down year but he has 22,608 career passing yards, 6,522 career rushing yards and 222 total touchdowns.

Brady is allowed to watch the entire league up close weekly, thanks to his dual roles calling NFL games for FOX and serving as a hands-on part-owner with the Raiders.

If he believes that Jackson simply needs a new football environment, Las Vegas could push for a proven QB who has more immediate Super Bowl upside than Mendoza.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

Jackson would have to agree to the deal and then receive a new contract to his liking.

But Baltimore went 8-9 last year and the Ravens could be stuck in the AFC’s middle for years to come.

“Vegas always hunts for the splash move but this would shift the whole AFC,” one fan tweeted.

“Lamar Jackson in Las Vegas would be EPIC,” a second fan posted.

“As a Raiders fan, no thanks,” a third fan wrote. “I want Fernando Mendoza.”

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.