Fernando Mendoza is already buying into what the Las Vegas Raiders are building, and his early view of Klint Kubiak’s offense says a lot about why he went No. 1 overall.
The transition from college to the NFL is rarely simple for quarterbacks, especially when moving into a system that demands different mechanics and reads.
But Mendoza has not waited for the rookie minicamp to start preparing. His approach to Kubiak’s scheme shows a quarterback who understands exactly what is being asked of him.
Fernando Mendoza is already adapting to Klint Kubiak’s system
Mendoza’s preparation and mindset were outlined by NBC Sports, where he explained how he approached learning an NFL-style offense before even being drafted.
“I watched a lot of film. I wasn’t necessarily installing this offense,” Mendoza said. “I was installing a general NFL offense, getting more accustomed to under-center play and general West Coast concepts, which does fit under this tree, which now paid off in taking that risk.”
He added, “Talking about fortune favors the bold, rolling the dice on that a little bit.”
That preparation matters in this system. Kubiak’s offense leans heavily on under-center play, timing routes, and play action, all areas that require precision and comfort in structure rather than improvisation.
Mendoza did not run this exact scheme in college, but his decision to focus on those concepts early has already positioned him to handle the transition more smoothly than most rookie quarterbacks.
Why Klint Kubiak’s offense suits Fernando Mendoza
The fit becomes even clearer when looking at how Mendoza describes his role within the system and what he believes it allows him to do.
“But this scheme, it really allows the quarterback to be a point guard,” he stated. “I believe that my job, we have so many great playmakers, whether from the outside, tight end, running back or offensive line, I just need to get the ball to the playmakers and do my part of the offense and be my one-eleventh.”
“And at that point, I believe this offense allows the quarterback to do that with such great coaches. I look forward to immersing myself into it,” Mendoza concluded.
That description aligns perfectly with how Kubiak’s system operates. It is built around structure, rhythm, and distribution, where the quarterback is expected to make quick decisions and deliver the ball to playmakers in space.
With options like Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and a tight end-heavy setup, the Raiders have already built an offense designed for that approach. It reduces pressure on a rookie quarterback while still allowing him to control the game.
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