RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Fernando Mendoza made his first appearance as an NFL quarterback on Thursday evening for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Albeit in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, but Mendoza was handed an opportunity to prove himself to the organization after being selected with the first overall pick in the draft.
The Raiders lost at Allegiant Stadium, with the Cardinals securing a 27-14 victory on the night.
However, the score was not important, as Klint Kubiak and the Raiders organization will have been watching their young quarterback extremely closely.
Mendoza did share the reps with Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell, but he did complete 10/16 passes attempted for 97 yards and one touchdown.
Having finally seen Mendoza in a Raiders uniform, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on his performance.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
NFL fans react to Fernando Mendoza’s first game for the Las Vegas Raiders
Cousins will be starting the regular season as the QB1 in Vegas, but all eyes will be on Mendoza, who cost the Raiders the first overall pick earlier this year.
First time head coach Kubiak is looking to play the waiting game as significant change has already taken place this offseason in Vegas.
However, what fans saw from Mendoza on Thursday evening against the Cardinals certainly got a few excited for what could be to come.
‘I’ve seen enough. Welcome back Tom Brady,’ one fan replied on X.
Having witnessed an inch-perfect pass threaded between two linebackers, one fan added: ‘Mendoza absolute laser beam he is the GOAT’.
Mendoza was sacked once in the game, but he did not turn the ball over, which will have gone down well with his new head coach.
‘The window he fit that ball into was impressive,’ replied another.
Given this was his very first game against another NFL team, one other fan said: ‘He only gets better and better! Let’s go!’
It is important to remember that he was facing arguably the worst team in the league and their second-string defense.
However, some slack has to be allowed given it was Mendoza’s first taste of the NFL.
Tom Brady played a role in drafting Mendoza, with one fan saying: ‘Looking a little Bradyish right here…’
Clearly, fans were enjoying what they saw from the 22-year-old: ‘Fernando is so fun to watch’.
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