New Fernando Mendoza Rumors Inside 1st Day at Raiders' Rookie Minicamp

It reportedly hasn't taken Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza long to make an impression at rookie minicamp.

"I talked to some people on the Raiders who said he looked fluid throwing the ball, looks like an NFL quarterback," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter. "The big thing is that under center work. It's like dance steps, they're just trying to get it down. It's the first day, they're not too worried about it. He's pretty meticulous in trying to get that footwork down. 

"He's been holding some walkthroughs at the team hotel the last few nights with his offensive teammates, with his new center Trey Zuhn, trying to get those steps down. So, they believe he'll be a natural at it, but it's just like anything else, you've got to grind for the last couple of months trying to figure that out. He was really good pre-draft though too. He worked on this a lot, so they feel like he's expedited the learning curve a bit."

That Mendoza has already displayed the work ethic to be going through walkthroughs at the team hotel with some of his teammates is surely a welcome development for the Raiders considering they made him their franchise quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.

The talent was clear when he led Indiana to the College Football Playoff national championship, and adding such a clear willingness to put in the work necessary for improvement could be the key to his entire NFL career.

If everything goes according to plan, the Indiana product will be an organizational cornerstone for years to come and someone who will lead Las Vegas into the playoff picture in an AFC West division that already has notable quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix.

Fernando Mendoza highlights

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B/R's NFL Scouting Department gave the Raiders an "A+" grade for the Mendoza pick and added, "Many Raiders fans still shudder at the mere thought of selecting JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

"Fear not, though. Mendoza falls on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to Russell, at least when it comes to work ethic, preparedness and commitment to his team."

Fowler's reporting was all about that work ethic and preparedness, and improving that footwork before the season will only make the rookie quarterback better in the long run. He also might have the opportunity to learn behind a veteran and continue preparing for his eventual opportunity considering the Raiders added Kirk Cousins this offseason.

Head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters before the draft his "perfect" scenario would be Mendoza sitting behind a veteran at the start of his career so he can fully adjust to the NFL level.

Once he does make that adjustment, the Raiders will have their franchise quarterback in a loaded division that is already full of such playmakers.