Tom Brady has a plan.

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.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.