The controversial advice a former NFL player gave Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas: “Go to a strip club”

F ernando Mendoza has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the most polished young quarterbacks in football, but one former NFL player believes the Las Vegas Raiders rookie could benefit from becoming a little less serious.

Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko offered Mendoza some unusually blunt advice after watching the No. 1 overall pick struggle during the Raiders ' preseason matchup with the Houston Texans .

Mendoza played the entire first half of Las Vegas ' 22-20 comeback victory on Aug. 20, completing 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards.

His night included an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz , an error that helped Houston establish a commanding early advantage.

The performance was a difficult one for a rookie facing an increasingly high level of expectation. Mendoza had shown flashes in his preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals , including throwing his first preseason touchdown, but the Texans provided a much tougher test.

Fehoko acknowledged that Mendoza still has work to do, while also pointing toward the physical tools and potential that made him the first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

But it was Mendoza's personality away from the field that attracted the former defensive lineman's attention.

“My only thing for Fernando Mendoza is we got to cool it on the interviews, bro. Like if we can just, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, uh, thank you, Mr. Buck,’ and ‘Yeah, I’m so grateful to be…’ Like, okay, Fernando, I get it. You did your thing in college; you were grateful, God is good, God is amazing, cool. But my big dog, we got to play quarterback now. You feel me? Like, them interviews, I get it, you’re a happy man, like go get with Maxx Crosby, go to a strip club, like lighten up, you know what I’m saying? So that’s my thoughts on Fernando Mendoza. I think he’s going to be a good player,” Fehoko explained on The Breiden Fehoko Show.

Mendoza's polished image is part of who he is

Fehoko's comments highlight an interesting contrast between how Mendoza presents himself and the more relaxed personality some former players believe is necessary to survive the NFL.

The Raiders quarterback has become known for his exceptionally careful and respectful answers during media appearances.

Rather than treating that as a manufactured persona, however, Mendoza's family has indicated that his communication skills have been developed over many years.

“People might think it’s fake, but it’s 100 percent him,” said Alberto Mendoza, per The Athletic’s Chris Vannini . “It’s greatly due to our parents. They taught us how to speak to people, how to carry ourselves, how to act in a professional manner.”

Mendoza himself has also discussed deliberately working on his communication. At the NFL Combine, he explained that he had taken speech classes, studied communication techniques and focused heavily on becoming a better leader.

“So, let me get really good at speaking. I’ve always taken speech classes; I’ve always looked at YouTube videos on how to communicate, you know, how to be a better leader, a huge reader as well. So, with that, it’s developed senses where people like all this guy’s ChatGPT, but I’ve been able to connect with my teammates really well and not in a ChatGPT scenario,” Mendoza told Raiders general manager John Spytek.

That background makes Fehoko's criticism less straightforward than simply telling a young quarterback to change who he is. Mendoza's composure and professionalism are qualities that could ultimately serve him well in a demanding leadership position.

The bigger question is whether he can translate those qualities into consistent performances on the field.

Against Houston , the Raiders trailed 20-3 before rallying for the victory. Mendoza was finished after halftime, while the comeback was completed by the rest of the quarterback room and offense.

The rookie will now have another opportunity to respond before the regular season. The Raiders ' preseason schedule concludes against the San Francisco 49ers , giving Mendoza one more chance to build confidence and demonstrate that the Houston performance was simply part of the learning curve.

For now, Fehoko's unusual suggestion is better understood as a call for Mendoza to relax rather than a serious prescription for how the rookie should spend his free time.

The first overall pick has already shown that he takes his responsibilities seriously. His next challenge is proving that his polished approach can coexist with the improvisation, resilience and confidence required of an NFL quarterback.

And while “go to a strip club” is certainly not conventional quarterback advice, Fehoko's underlying message is much simpler: Mendoza needs to loosen up, enjoy the experience and keep learning as he makes the enormous jump from college football to the NFL.