Fernando Mendoza has been preparing to join the Las Vegas Raiders for two years, according to recent reports from within the NFL community. The quarterback, who played college football at Fresno State, has reportedly been working quietly behind the scenes to position himself for a potential opportunity with the Silver and Black.
While Mendoza remains under contract with another team, sources indicate he has maintained regular contact with Raiders coaching staff and personnel, studying the team’s offensive schemes and attending voluntary workouts when permitted. This prolonged preparation suggests a deliberate effort to be ready should a roster spot become available.
The Raiders, entering a pivotal offseason under new head coach Antonio Pierce, have been evaluating quarterback depth behind starter Aidan O’Connell. Mendoza’s familiarity with the system and his prior relationship with Pierce—who coached him during his time at Fresno State—has fueled speculation about a potential fit.
Connection to Antonio Pierce Drives Interest
Mendoza played under Pierce at Fresno State from 2020 to 2022, during which time Pierce served as the Bulldogs’ linebackers coach and defensive coordinator before transitioning to the NFL. Their professional relationship continued after Pierce joined the Raiders’ staff in 2023, with Mendoza reportedly attending Raiders’ minicamps and studying film with offensive coordinators.
According to the Raiders’ official website, Pierce has spoken publicly about his admiration for Mendoza’s work ethic and football intelligence, calling him “one of the most prepared young players I’ve ever coached.”
Mendoza, who went undrafted in 2023, spent the 2023 season on the practice squad of an AFC West team before being signed to a futures contract for 2024. Though he did not appear in a regular-season game, he participated in all offseason activities and was praised by coaches for his grasp of complex protections and audibles.
Offseason Work and Film Study
Over the past two years, Mendoza has reportedly followed a structured development plan focused on mastering the Raiders’ West Coast-inspired offensive concepts. Sources close to the player say he has reviewed every snap from Las Vegas’ 2022 and 2023 seasons, with particular attention to how the team adjusts its protections against blitz-heavy defenses.
He has too worked with a private quarterback coach in California to refine his footwork and timing, specifically targeting the quick-slant and bubble-screen concepts that feature prominently in Pierce’s offensive philosophy. These efforts were confirmed by a former Fresno State teammate who trained with Mendoza during the 2023 offseason.
While no formal tryout or visit has been scheduled as of April 2026, Mendoza’s representatives have maintained open lines of communication with the Raiders’ player personnel department, according to a source familiar with the discussions who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing roster evaluations.
Roster Implications and Next Steps
The Raiders enter the 2024 offseason with questions at quarterback beyond O’Connell, who showed promise in limited action last season but remains unproven as a full-time starter. With Jimmy Garoppolo’s future uncertain and no clear successor on the roster, Las Vegas could look to add a developmental quarterback with upside and scheme familiarity.
Mendoza’s preparation over the past two years positions him as a low-risk, high-reward candidate for a practice squad spot or training camp invitation. His familiarity with Pierce’s communication style and expectations could shorten the learning curve typically associated with rookie or young quarterbacks entering a new system.
As of now, no official move has been made, and Mendoza remains under contract with his current team. Still, the groundwork laid over the past two years suggests that should an opportunity arise, he would be among the most prepared non-roster quarterbacks in the league to step into the Raiders’ environment.
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