Fernando Mendoza makes major adjustment in first Raiders minicamp after justifying White House snub

Fernando Mendoza operated mostly in shotgun formation during his impressive college career, but that won’t be the case in the NFL.

The Las Vegas Raiders believe he has potential to be a true franchise quarterback, and the Heisman Trophy winner landed in Sin City as the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft.

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But before he can get on the field for the Silver and Black, Mendoza has a lot to learn.

When he stepped out to practice for the first time at rookie minicamp this weekend, there was a major adjustment.

Raiders camp a learning curve for Fernando Mendoza

In Klint Kubiak’s offensive scheme, Mendoza is expected to take snaps under center.

That will signal a big change for the former California and Indiana quarterback, who is used to working out of the shotgun.

In fact, across three college seasons, he took just five snaps under center.

Kubiak has moved to switch things up quickly for Mendoza, and according to ESPN, during the media viewing period of practice, he primarily took snaps in the unfamiliar system.

Speaking afterwards, the first overall pick admitted he’s still got ‘a long way to go’ to learn how to play under center, noting that the added footwork has been one of the biggest adjustments for him.

“Instead of being back there in shotgun, you really have to get back to make sure you get depth,” Mendoza, whose credentials as a top pick have recently been questioned, said.

“Still be on time, still decipher the defense.

“And with that, it’s really having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out out of there and powerful with having quick feet.”

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Mendoza added that he’s already becoming familiar with the Raiders scheme as he works alongside Kubiak, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.

“I think it’s going to be that repetition under center, getting those quicker feet, and just you can always be faster and more efficient in your reads and decisiveness,” he said.

Arriving in the NFL has been quite the whirlwind for Mendoza, who admitted Saturday that he’s at the ‘bottom of the totem pole’ in Las Vegas.

Because of that, he could miss out on an honor he earned for guiding Indiana to national championship glory.

Fernando Mendoza justifies White House snub

The former QB is set to pass on an opportunity to accompany his college teammates to the White House.

Indiana will make the customary visit to Washington, D.C. on May 11, but Mendoza is worried that the date clashes with the start of the Raiders’ organized team activities (OTAs).

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“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I’ve got to prove myself,” he told reporters.

“I can’t miss practice. I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look.

“I want to try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

Mendoza, though, might be able to make the trip after all.

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When asked about the White House visit, he incorrectly stated May 11 as the start of OTAs.

According to the Raiders’ official website, their workouts are actually scheduled to begin a week later, on May 18.

Should he wish to make the trip to DC, it appears that Mendoza’s calendar will indeed be clear.

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