Raiders Coaches Are Aligned On How To Develop Mendoza

August 28, 2026 - 02:12

The Las Vegas Raiders have a clear vision for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and it starts with a unified coaching staff. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan is leading the charge, but he is not working alone. Head coach and offensive coordinator are fully on board with the same development track, which is a critical piece for any young signal caller.

Sullivan has been through this process before. He has worked with young quarterbacks at multiple stops in his career, and he knows the pitfalls that come with rushing a player before he is ready. The key, he says, is building a foundation first. That means footwork, reading defenses from the pocket, and learning when to take chances downfield versus checking the ball down. Mendoza has the raw tools, but the mental side of the game is where he needs the most work.

The staff has a shared plan that does not involve throwing Mendoza into the fire too early. They want him to absorb the system, get comfortable with the speed of the NFL game, and then earn playing time on his own merit. There is no set timeline, and that is intentional. The Raiders want to avoid the mistakes of the past, where young quarterbacks were forced into action before they were ready and never recovered.

Sullivan has a reputation for being patient but demanding. He pushes his players to be detail oriented, and he does not let small errors slide. But he also knows how to build confidence. Mendoza is expected to compete in training camp, but the staff is not going to judge him solely on preseason stats. They are looking for growth in practice, in meetings, and in how he handles adversity.

The alignment between Sullivan, the head coach, and the offensive coordinator is a good sign for Mendoza. When a coaching staff is on the same page, it eliminates confusion and gives the player a clear path forward. That is exactly what the Raiders are hoping for as they try to develop their quarterback of the future.