Shortly after Fernando Mendoza finished his first handful of NFL practices, he sat down with Mike Sullivan to discuss everything that transpired within them. Literally everything.

Before breaking for the summer, the Raiders’ new quarterbacks coach and the rookie watched film of every single throw Mendoza made during the Raiders’ OTAs practices. Sullivan had the No. 1 draft pick audit every detail of each pass — from his progression and timing to his footwork and accuracy — and evaluate what he did well and where he fell short. Mendoza handwrote his critique, which helped him digest his common mistakes and provided a physical reference for things to work on.

“Didn’t have the neatest handwriting,” Sullivan joked. “I said, ‘maybe you could type this next time.’”

Mendoza reflected on the “voluminous” exercise, as Sullivan put it, throughout the summer and said it has helped him “kill urges” and “make the right play” during training camp. Sullivan and the Raiders’ coaching staff have lauded the rookie for not repeating mistakes.

“He’s someone that I think a lot of his confidence comes from the preparation and the type of time and effort that he puts in,” Sullivan said. “To really continue to press, to continue to work, to improve, to never be satisfied is a benefit to a quarterback because then they get in situations it doesn’t seem as hard and it doesn’t seem as challenging.”

Sullivan, along with head coach Klint Kubiak and offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, is in charge of building up the Raiders’ quarterback of the future. It’s the same role Sullivan was in 12 years ago, before he ever knew it.

Sullivan was out of a job in the spring of 2014. He’d been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator the previous two seasons, but was out of work after Greg Schiano and his entire staff were purged.

David Carr approached Sullivan with an opportunity. Carr was a backup quarterback and Sullivan the QBs coach for the New York Giants’ Super Bowl-winning 2011 team. Now, Carr’s younger brother Derek was preparing to enter the NFL, and David felt that Sullivan was the right coach to prepare him for the 2014 NFL Draft.

“I had some time on my hands,” Sullivan said. “And I thought, ‘What a great way to get back into the game and work with a fine young quarterback.’”

Derek and Sullivan trained for the NFL Combine and Fresno State’s Pro Day in the Carr’s hometown of Bakersfield, Calif. Sullivan’s meticulous approach was the same he used with NFL quarterbacks, and he ensured Carr he would always be “the most prepared guy in the room.”

“His impact on me in just those few months was so great that I’m still using those things today,” Carr said. “I always joke that (former Raiders head coach Jon) Gruden has seen every clip of film ever in football history. I think Sully is another one of those guys for sure.”

Watching film with Sullivan can feel like wringing water from a stone. Carr said that no matter how much of the same tape he watched with the coach, Sullivan always found a way to squeeze out a new teaching point. Carr added that Sullivan’s superpower is taking that information and relaying it in a concise format, ensuring his quarterbacks can use what they’re learning without being overwhelmed.

Carr believes that Sullivan’s emphasis on preparation stems from his Army background. Sullivan graduated from West Point while playing defensive back for the football team. He then attended Army Airborne, Ranger and Assault Schools and served in the 25th Infantry Division before starting his coaching career. Sullivan said he views coaching quarterbacks militaristically, trying to make practice rigorous and thorough so his players feel calm in the chaos of games.

“We try to do everything that we can to enable a quarterback, when he’s called on to perform… he’s not thinking too much. He’s kind of on autopilot,” Sullivan said. “He’s created muscle memory in his footwork, his upper body, his vision. He’s developed that kind of chemistry with his receivers and can anticipate the play call and knows the situation.”

Sullivan and Mendoza’s post-OTAs debriefings are an example of that. Mendoza feels like his diligence formed that necessary muscle memory to quiet his brain, creating more comfort — and success — on the field.

Carr said his training with Sullivan was similarly intensive, even in the shortened timeframe. The coach taught him fine details about studying film, reading defenses and mechanics. Despite similar focal points carried throughout their sessions, Carr said his training with Sullivan never got stale, which allowed for advanced growth in just a few months.

“There has to be a positive approach (to coaching), and you want to have enthusiasm and be creative,” Sullivan said. “Sometimes, you have to change things up a little bit to get it to sink in.”

Sullivan has a deep inventory of drills that teach his same tenets, even if, occasionally, a drill itself can feel completely unnatural. He’s also not afraid to experiment in the meeting room; he says he’ll go off-topic to relate one of his life experiences back to the lesson at hand, and he won’t hesitate to “bust chops” when needed to keep things light. His lessons stuck with Carr beyond their time together, and after the Raiders selected Carr in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

“He was showing me things and teaching me things that I was seeing in games he wasn’t even my coach for,” Carr said. “He was giving me tools that I used throughout my career … little tips he came up on and drills he came up with. I’m still teaching them to kids nowadays.”

Among Sullivan’s coaching stops were with the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning 2011 team, where David Carr (No. 8) was a backup. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)

While Carr remained close with Sullivan throughout his 10 NFL seasons, the two never shared a team. Still, Carr credits Sullivan for setting him up for success in silver and black. Carr holds the Raiders’ franchise records for passing yards (35,222), passing touchdowns (217), pass completions (3,201) and pass attempts (4,958), while also leading the team to its last two playoff appearances in 2016 and 2021.

Sullivan might also be able to credit Carr some for his job with the Raiders. Carr was coached by Kubiak and Janocko in 2024 while a member of the New Orleans Saints and formed a relationship with the tandem. When they realized they wanted to add a quarterbacks coach to their staff in Las Vegas, Carr said the Raiders reached out to consult with him about options. Sullivan was a known commodity to both coaches, as he worked with Kubiak in Denver and Janocko in Tampa Bay. But Carr made sure to endorse Sullivan when he was brought up as a candidate.

“I remember they asked me about Sully and I must have went on for about 10 minutes,” Carr said. “I think at that point they were like, ‘Alright man, we get it.’ I always say good things about everybody, but I just had more to say about Sully and I couldn’t stop talking.”

Whether Carr’s cosign was a factor in Sullivan’s hiring or not, the coach is now a key part of the braintrust leading the Raiders’ offense. Kubiak said Sullivan’s coaching and life experience have taught the team’s quarterbacks a lot thus far, and Carr believes pairing Sullivan’s veteran nature with Kubiak and Janocko is a perfect connection.

“From a football aspect, I mean these guys are hard workers,” Carr said. “They’re grinding tape. They’re doing all the things you would want as a player. They’re trying to find that one thing that may cost us a game and so they can show you and then you’re ready for it in a game. We’re all human, we all may miss something, but if three of them are doing it, they’re probably not gonna miss a lot.”

Carr also believes that Sullivan is a strong fit to shape Mendoza based on his own experiences of receiving Sullivan’s coaching as a young player. Carr said as long as Mendoza’s willing to be a “sponge,” Sullivan will ensure Mendoza absorbs all he can. And with the Raiders appearing to take a slow approach with Mendoza’s development, Sullivan will ensure the rookie is fully prepared before he’s deployed.

Sullivan said that not all young quarterbacks can be coached the same. Differing personalities and learning processes can cause him to convey his message differently to different players. But Sullivan’s characterization of Mendoza and Carr is quite similar.

Sullivan on Carr: “He was into every little detail, how much he really wanted to improve. There was nothing that was too small. He didn’t take anything for granted.”

And on Mendoza: “He just wants to get better. He’s gonna do anything and everything, whether it’s in the meeting room or on his own, going through his own walk-throughs that he does… He’s so committed to the process and not concerned whatsoever with anything else.”

Sullivan did not want to compare the two players; he complimented both of their arm strengths and mobility without relating them to each other. Yet he did confirm that their drive is of the same ilk.

“I think the competitive spirit and the desire to improve, grow and get better is something that they both share,” Sullivan said.

How much Mendoza grows will have a determining effect on how much the Raiders can get better. Sullivan will play a key role in his improvement, hoping to foster the same success in his new pupil that only his old one led the franchise to in the last quarter century.

LOS ANGELES — USC wrapped up training camp this past weekend and heads into mock game week as it begins preparation for its Aug. 29 season opener against San Jose State.

It can’t be overstated how crucial this year is for both Lincoln Riley, who enters his fifth season as the program’s head coach, and the Trojans, who are still searching for their first College Football Playoff appearance.

During training camp, USC opened three full practices, including a scrimmage, to the media. Here’s what I learned after attending all three.

1. No need to waste time; let’s get straight to USC’s top-ranked 2026 recruiting class and which freshmen will be significant contributors this season.

In past training camps, it was obvious from the early stages of practice that players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake Jackson, Drake London and Calen Bullock were clearly ready to make an impact for the Trojans. Their college careers played out accordingly.

It was only three practices, but I was really impressed with five-star defensive end Luke Wafle, who was the No. 6 overall recruit in the 2026 recruiting cycle, per the 247Sports Composite. He displayed the flashes you want to see early on from a player who entered college with that much recruiting acclaim, and I’m interested to see how big his role becomes as the season goes on, if he doesn’t open the year as a starter.

I wrote about receiver Trent Mosley in the spring, and my optimism hasn’t wavered. I expect he’ll have a place in the starting receiver group in the slot, where his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame will play well.

Mosley is part of the Trojans’ very talented freshman receiver group. Boobie Feaster (No. 41 overall player in the 2026 cycle) has generated a lot of hype for the plays he’s made during camp, but don’t sleep on fellow four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (No. 59 overall recruit nationally), who was also a consistent presence.

Defensive lineman Tomuhini “Tom Tom” Topui Jr. has a few veterans ahead of him along the interior defensive line, but I was impressed with the 6-3, 320-pounder’s quickness and burst off the ball.

Five-star freshman tight end Mark Bowman should make an impact at his position this season as well.

“We’re certainly going to have multiple, multiple freshmen on both sides of the ball that are going to play large roles,” Riley said Friday. “There will be some guys that start. There will be some guys who play a lot. There are going to be some guys who are solid 2s who are going to rotate a lot. There is going to be a lot of presence from our freshman class on the field and certainly on special teams as well.”

2. I’m curious to see what sort of leap Jahkeem Stewart makes in his second college season. Before the 2026 recruiting class, Stewart was one of the most-hyped recruits to sign with USC during Riley’s tenure.

He had some really promising moments last season — that he generated 7.5 tackles for loss while playing with a stress fracture in his foot should not be dismissed. But Stewart is not a sure bet to open this season as a starter with Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren also playing along the interior defensive line.

Stewart will definitely be a major figure in the rotation and has the highest ceiling of the defensive tackles, so we’ll see if he inches closer toward reaching that this fall.

3. Center Kilian O’Connor’s season-ending injury was a tough blow for USC’s offensive line. Time will tell how much of an impact it truly leaves. There was offseason buzz about Tobias Raymond potentially starting at center, and I expect that to be the case now that O’Connor is sidelined.

Raymond has started 14 career games, seven at tackle and seven at guard, so we’ve seen plenty of him. O’Connor’s injury really thrusts third-year offensive lineman Hayden Treter into the spotlight, however. Treter has played extensive snaps in just one game (a start in last season’s Alamo Bowl). Now he’s the frontrunner to start at left guard.

4. Ryon Sayeri connected on 21 of his 25 field goal attempts, handled kickoff duties and was third-team All-Big Ten last season. But that doesn’t mean he’s walking into a starting placekicker role this season.

Sayeri certainly could earn the starting role, but on Friday, Riley stressed that Caden Chittenden is also in the mix.

It was assumed Chittenden would be the starter last season after he transferred from UNLV, where he had a strong season in 2024 — freshman All-American and All-Mountain West first-team honors. But Chittenden suffered an injury that opened the door for Sayeri to claim the starting job.

Riley said Sayeri will still handle kickoff duties this season. It’s still up in the air, though, who will handle field goals and extra points.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been in a situation as a coach where you have two guys that you believe in as much as I believe in them and they both have game reps, game success,” Riley said. “It’s unique.”

5. At this point of the preseason, I feel confident in what USC has coming back at quarterback, with Jayden Maiava in his third season with Riley; running back, where Waymond Jordan is healthy and King Miller has really transformed his physical appearance; and the offensive line, if it remains healthy. I’m also high on the potential at receiver, even though some of those younger players are unproven. If Tanook Hines is healthy, he and NC State transfer Terrell Anderson should provide a solid baseline for the group. I like the depth of the defensive line as well. It should be one of the deeper units USC has had in recent memory.

6. My concerns come on defense. While I like USC’s depth on the defensive line, I wonder where the closers are? Up four in the final minutes and in need of a stop to close the game, who can the Trojans count on to get to the passer? We’ve seen Kam Crawford and Braylan Shelby for multiple seasons, and they haven’t turned into those kinds of players. Will it have to be Wafle as a true freshman? That’s a lot to ask.

We’ve seen Michigan and Ohio State win national championships and Miami make a deep Playoff run because they had waves of pass rushers. I don’t know if USC has enough in that category, which is why it’s struggled to get stops late in close games over the past two years.

Also, the linebacker group has to take a real step forward this season. It feels like I’ve been writing that for nearly a decade, but it remains true, especially if this defense is going to get to where it wants to be.

And in the secondary, Iowa State transfer Jontez Williams provides a veteran presence at the top corner spot, but is coming off a season-ending knee injury that cut short his 2025 campaign. Chasen Johnson seems to be in line to start at the other corner spot, but he missed most of last season because of injury. The other options at corner are young or inconsistent. And elsewhere in the secondary, Prophet Brown and Alex Graham or Kennedy Urlacher will be counted on to be full-time starters for the first time in their careers.

That’s troubling considering 2026 opponents Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana all feature loaded receiver groups.

7. This time a year ago, I wrote that USC was a seven- or eight-win team and the Trojans won nine regular-season games. Two years ago, my projection was 7-5, and USC went 6-6 in the regular season.

I think the Trojans will be pretty good this season, but I still view them as a 9-3 team, and I don’t know if that’ll be enough to make the Playoff. Oregon and Ohio State are coming to the Coliseum, but those teams boast more high-end talent than USC. Until USC proves it can go into a hostile road environment and beat a quality team, how can we trust it to win at Indiana?

USC will be coming off either an emotional high or emotional letdown when it faces Washington the week after Oregon. It won’t be easy to walk out of Happy Valley with a win against Penn State either, so those are challenging games as well.

As I say every preseason, USC can prove me wrong if things break right. Regardless, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating season for the program.

This is not Chalobah’s first spell with a club overseas, having spent part of the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Lorient in the French top flight.

It was there that he emulated his older brother Nathaniel, who played for Napoli, by taking the less-trodden path of moving to Europe as an English player, a route that has since become more commonplace.

The younger Chalobah says it was “not a coincidence” that Tuchel, whom he had faced while at Lorient after the German joined Paris St-Germain, picked him out and gave him his Chelsea debut.

Five years later, Tuchel promised him that if a defender dropped out of England’s World Cup squad, Chalobah would be first in line for a call-up.

While on holiday in New York, Chalobah received the call to join Tuchel’s squad at his first World Cup in place of the injured Tino Livramento.

“The story’s already written before I was born,” Chalobah said.

“He’s the one that gave me my debut for Chelsea and he’s the same manager that called me up for the World Cup last minute.

“I think certain things are meant to happen and I’m grateful for that. Obviously all thanks to him and I’m really happy.”

The tournament ended in a semi-final defeat by Argentina before the team secured the bronze medal with a 6-4 victory over France in their final match.

“No one wants to come third. You’re just one step away from the final,” he said.

“It was definitely hard for the players. It did hit us for a couple of days. You know how hard the boys worked, how they believed that we could win it.

“And yeah, we were so close. But we learn from this and be proud of what we’ve done and achieved.”

It is now another manager with whom Chalobah’s destiny intertwines.

Fabregas was one of Chelsea‘s stars when Chalobah was in the academy and taking part in training sessions with the first-team squad.

“I remember how demanding he was with the younger players. So yeah, I know him really well,” Chalobah explained, recalling those early sessions.

Fabregas has overseen Como’s remarkable rise from Serie B to the Champions League in just two seasons and convinced Chalobah to join amid interest from Inter Milan.

“He was a massive part,” Chalobah added. “He explained what he wanted, the way he sees the club and how he sees me fitting into this club and how I can help – having a lot of experience, physicality as well, the leadership.

“It wasn’t an overnight thing, it was a very thoughtful and hard decision. But I thought, as I said, the trajectory of this club and the direction it’s going in, and speaking to the manager, and wanting to be part of this story.

“I’m really excited for this new chapter in my beautiful story that I’ve had so far.”