The Las Vegas Raiders continue to fine-tune details for the 2026 NFL season after selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The young quarterback arrives not only as the franchise massive bet for the future but also with the unique opportunity to learn from an absolute legend in Tom Brady who serves as team co-owner and is considered by many as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
In the midst of preparing for the upcoming campaign Brady grabbed the spotlight once again by questioning one of the most controversial disciplinary policies in the NFL which is the massive financial fines players receive for actions committed on the field.
“What they start doing is they start fining you $50,000, $75,000,” Brady said on the Stick To Football podcast per Mike Florio of NBC Sports Pro Football Talk. “And I’m saying, like, I hate that. I hate the fact that, like, you sign a contract for $2 million a year, $5 million a year, and it’s so easy for someone to say, ‘Give me $75,000. Give me $50,000. Oh, it’s your second offense? That’s $100,000. That’s your third offense, $200,000.’ . . . What job is like that in the world? Where you make a mistake at your job, and they come in, they go, ‘Hey, we’re gonna take your salary away.’ And then people are like, ‘Yeah, you should take his salary away.’”
A history of friction with the league office
The words from Brady carry a special weight because he knows exactly what it means to be disciplined by the league. During his playing career he faced suspensions on multiple occasions with the infamous Deflategate scandal being the most remembered episode alongside other controversies that marked his legendary trajectory.
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Now acting as a co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders his statements might not sit well with the NFL league office since they directly question a policy that has historically enjoyed the full backing of franchise owners. In contrast his stance will very likely receive strong support from a vast majority of the players.
For now it appears highly unlikely that the NFL will modify its current fine system considering the track record of the league regarding these types of sanctions. However if there is a single figure with the weight and influence required to push for a change in that aspect it is Tom Brady.