Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza: ‘I need more work under center’
TL;DR
Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza acknowledges the need for more practice under center to master the West Coast offense. He aims to improve his footwork and timing after primarily playing in the shotgun formation during college.
Key points
- Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- He primarily played in the shotgun formation during college.
- Mendoza is focusing on improving his footwork and timing under center.
Mentioned in this story
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza views himself as a work in progress playing under center. The Raiders’ West Coast offense calls for Mendoza to master the offensive formation, which he feels needs more development in to gain full command of after working in shotgun throughout his college career.
“I mean, the other quarterbacks are really in tune, but I need more work under center, and it's great when we can be in the hotel getting 25 to 50 snaps each last night and the night before day one, and to really get that timing,” Mendoza said following his second day of Rookie minicamp. “I still have a long way to go, but those centers are phenomenal, consistent snaps, and the offensive line did a great job."
Mendoza played out of the shotgun with regularity at Indiana in 2025. Questions percolated throughout the draft process this offseason regarding the learning curve that he’d have to endure to become fully proficient in the nuances of Raiders offense, which requires taking a great deal of snaps under center.
The Heisman winning QB worked with former Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese on those nuances that Las Vegas’ scheme calls for prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite testifying to the work that he’s put in, Mendoza sees more road ahead of him, with “added footwork” being the biggest adjustment he faces in gaining command of playing under center prior to the start of next season.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza: ‘I need more work under center’
Q&A
What does Fernando Mendoza need to improve as a quarterback?
Fernando Mendoza needs to improve his work under center and footwork to fully adapt to the Raiders' West Coast offense.
How did Fernando Mendoza prepare for the NFL Draft?
Mendoza worked with former NFL quarterback Brian Griese to understand the nuances of the Raiders' offensive scheme before the 2026 NFL Draft.
What challenges does Mendoza face transitioning to the NFL?
Mendoza faces challenges in mastering the timing and execution of taking snaps under center, as he primarily played from the shotgun in college.