HENDERSON, Nev. -- The bright desert sun beat down on the practice fields of the Raiders' Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center as rookie minicamp opened its doors for the first time in the Klint Kubiak era. And while all eyes naturally gravitated toward the skill players and the powerful defensive line, the most watched individual on the field wore jersey No. 15.
Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is a Raider. For the first time in his football career, he is learning to do something he rarely, if ever, did at the University of California: take a snap from under center.
According to a report from ESPN, Mendoza admitted that the last two days of rookie camp have been a "learning process" as he works to master the footwork, timing, and ball-handling mechanics required when a quarterback lines up directly behind the center. This is a critical and often underappreciated transition for any college quarterback coming from a spread or air-raid system, and it will define Mendoza's early development in the NFL.
For a fanbase starved for stability at the quarterback position since the days of Derek Carr, this is not just a footnote -- it is the opening chapter of a new era, one that hinges on whether this 22-year-old can reshape his muscle memory before pads come on in earnest.
"I'm learning a lot," Mendoza said, per the ESPN report. "It's different. In college, I was primarily in the gun. Here, you've got to get the footwork right, get your eyes right, get your hands right. It's a process, but I trust the coaches."
That trust will need to be earned on both sides. The Raiders are betting their future on Mendoza's rocket arm, poise under pressure, and ability to process quickly. But none of that matters if he cannot consistently execute the most fundamental quarterback task: taking a snap without fumbling or losing precious milliseconds.
Why Playing Under Center Matters
To the casual fan, the difference between shotgun and under center might seem cosmetic. But in the NFL, it changes everything. When a quarterback takes a snap under center, his back is to the defense for a split second longer. His dropbacks are longer -- three-step, five-step, seven-step -- requiring precise footwork to synchronize with route timing. Perhaps most importantly, play-action fakes become far more effective because the running back is closer to the line of scrimmage, forcing linebackers to commit.
Klint Kubiak's offensive system, refined during his tenure as offensive coordinator in Seattle and previously in New Orleans, is a branch of the Mike Shanahan-Kyle Shanahan tree. That system is famous for its reliance on play-action bootlegs, outside zone runs, and a heavy dose of under-center formations. It is not a scheme easily run from the shotgun 80 percent of the time, as many college offenses do.
So while Mendoza's transition is a personal challenge, it is also a litmus test for how quickly the Raiders can install their full offense. If Mendoza masters under-center mechanics by training camp, the entire playbook opens up. If he struggles, Kubiak may need to simplify the scheme or rely more heavily on the veteran presence of Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell early in the season.
The Rookie Camp Context
Rookie minicamp is not about winning games. It is about teaching fundamentals, evaluating instincts, and setting baselines. For Mendoza, that baseline is his ability to execute simple under-center handoffs and bootleg keepers--things he did maybe a dozen times in his entire college career.
The good news? Mendoza's physical tools are undeniable. His arm strength, mobility, and football IQ were the reasons GM John Spytek and the Raiders' front office made him the first overall selection. The question has always been about polish, not potential.
ESPN's report highlights that Mendoza has been working closely with the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, taking extra reps after practice to drill footwork. This level of detail should encourage Raider Nation. The rookie is putting in the work. He is not treating this transition as beneath him or something he can "figure out later."
The challenge, however, is that muscle memory takes time--thousands of reps. Mendoza spent four years at Cal operating almost exclusively out of the shotgun. His brain is wired to see the defense, get the snap, and immediately scan. Now he must add a step -- or several -- to that process. He must feel the center's snap, pivot, open, and find his landmark. It sounds simple, but it is the difference between a 3.0-second release and a 3.5-second release, an eternity in the NFL.
Where Mendoza Fits in the Room
When the Raiders drafted Mendoza, they did so knowing they had a veteran bridge in Kirk Cousins, who signed a two-year deal in free agency. Cousins, a wily 38-year-old with playoff experience, has played under center and from the shotgun. He has worked with Kubiak's offense before. There is perhaps no better mentor for a young quarterback making this exact transition.
Aidan O'Connell, the team's second-year developmental project, provides a strong-armed competitor for the backup role, but his ceiling is limited. The plan is clear: let Cousins start the season, let Mendoza learn, then, with a heavy heart, hand the keys to the rookie when he is ready.
But that plan only works if Mendoza is ready physically. And that starts with the under-center work happening now in Henderson.
The Bigger Picture for the Raiders
This isn't just a quarterback story. It is a philosophy story.
Kubiak came to Las Vegas with a reputation for building offenses that are multiple -- capable of running power-run one week and spreading out with four receivers the next. That flexibility requires a quarterback who can operate from all alignments. Cousins can. O'Connell has shown flashes. But Mendoza is the future, and his ability to handle under-center mechanics will dictate just how "multiple" the Raiders offense can be in 2027 and beyond.
The Raiders also have a revamped supporting cast. Ashton Jeanty, the team's second-round pick from Boise State, is a dynamic running back who excels in both zone and gap schemes. Under-center play-action with Jeanty in the backfield could be devastating. Brock Bowers, the star tight end, is a matchup nightmare who thrives on play-action crossers and bootleg seams. The offensive line, anchored by Kolton Miller and Tyler Linderbaum, is built for a downhill, play-action-based attack.
All of that infrastructure is for naught if the quarterback cannot execute the foundational mechanics.
Early Verdict: Works in Progress
It is far too early to draw sweeping conclusions. Rookie minicamp is essentially an orientation. But the fact that Mendoza's transition to playing under center is a focus area tells us two things.
First, the Raiders are honest about the developmental challenge. They are not pretending Mendoza is a plug-and-play savior. They identify gaps and attack them immediately. That is the sign of a well-run organization.
Second, Mendoza is transparent. He is not hiding from the difficulty. He embraces the work. That is the sign of a player who wants to get better.
The road from first overall pick to franchise quarterback is paved with incremental improvements. For Mendoza, the first of those improvements is happening in the quiet of June practice, with no fans in the stands, just a coach and a center, drilling the same snap over and over until it feels natural.
Raiders fans should be patient. The talent is there. The work ethic is there. Now, it's just about the process. And that process, for Fernando Mendoza, starts with getting comfortable under center.