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NFL
Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza pushing through first challenge in NFL
TL;DR
Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is facing his first major challenge as an NFL quarterback, adjusting to taking snaps from under center after primarily operating from the shotgun in college.
Key points
- Las Vegas Raiders opened rookie camp this week
- Fernando Mendoza is the No. 1 overall pick
- Mendoza is adjusting to taking snaps from under center
- He operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun in college
- Only took 3% of snaps from under center during the 2025 season
Fernando MendozaLas Vegas RaidersNFL
The NFL has completed the draft, and teams have already begun rookie minicamps. The 2026 draft class faced a quick turnaround and is now getting to work in May.
The Las Vegas Raiders opened their rookie camp this week, and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza wasted no time getting started. He’s already facing his first major quarterback challenge at the professional level.
Reports indicate that Mendoza is adjusting to taking snaps from under center again. While he has done it before, his college career rarely required it.
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During the 2025 season at Indiana, Mendoza took just 3% of his snaps from under center and operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun.
This trend isn’t unusual. Many high school and college offenses rely heavily on the shotgun. However, head coach Klint Kubiak runs a more balanced system.
In 2025, Kubiak’s Seattle Seahawks offense took most of its snaps from under center. The Raiders will likely follow a similar approach in 2026.
That said, Kubiak may tailor the offense early on to support Mendoza’s development. If any quarterback can make this transition smoothly, it’s Mendoza.
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Mendoza has built a reputation as a highly coachable quarterback. He has adapted to multiple offensive systems throughout his college career. At Indiana, he gained experience with a variety of passing concepts commonly used in the NFL.
Q&A
What challenges is Fernando Mendoza facing as a rookie quarterback?
Fernando Mendoza is adjusting to taking snaps from under center, a significant change from his college experience where he rarely did so.
How often did Fernando Mendoza take snaps from under center in college?
During the 2025 season at Indiana, Mendoza took just 3% of his snaps from under center.
When did the Las Vegas Raiders open their rookie camp?
The Las Vegas Raiders opened their rookie camp this week in May.