Fernando Mendoza: The next Kubiak success story?
Mendoza is an ultra-processor with elite accuracy and precision, physical toughness, and incredible control on his downfield throws. Understanding this, he will work best in an offense that has a fair amount of structure as opposed to one that relies on off-script playmaking like the Chiefs or the Bills. Kubiak’s offense will ask Mendoza to be decisive and quick in play-action scenarios, which Mendoza showed glimpses of in college, but has some improvements to make on his timing.
Can he increase his mobility? While Mendoza isn’t a dynamic running threat, he’s athletic enough to execute the sorts of designs that Kubiak consistently draws up – bootlegs, rollouts, fakes, etc. Kubiak has worked with several solid pocket passers in his career — Darnold being his most recent prodigy — so the idea of getting a quarterback like Mendoza to be confident on the move should not be an issue.
Where the fit becomes especially interesting is in Kubiak’s usage of the run game to dictate coverage. Heavy use of outside zone forces linebackers to move, which opens windows up behind them. For Mendoza, that means clearer throwing lanes and more defined reads which is where and when he will have the opportunity to really shine at the NFL level as it plays directly to his strengths. If he can consistently diagnose these situations pre- and post-snap, he can be very successful as a Raider.
In general, Mendoza projects as a natural schematic fit in Kubiak’s offense: a rhythm passer who can execute play-action, operate on the move, and take advantage of defined reads. Mendoza’s success will likely hinge less on elevating the system and more on how cleanly and consistently he can run it — which, in this style of offense, is often exactly what’s required. There are certainly adjustments that will have to be made — transitioning from his reliance on RPO, improving quickness of his decision-making, and learning how to run an offense under center as opposed to shotgun, immediately come to mind. But those aren’t anomalies for college players transitioning to the NFL.
Kubiak is one of many modern-day coaches who set the standard for efficient play-calling, and it shows in the ways that players respond to his coaching. Last season, he helped unlock the full potential of Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which earned the latter the Offensive Player of The Year award and a market-resetting contract extension. Also, under Kubiak’s guidance, running back Kenneth Walker III had an explosive year and won Super Bowl MVP, which earned him a three-year contract with the Chiefs. Everything Kubiak touches seems to turn to gold, but how will that play out with the Silver and Black? We’ll see in September.
