RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Las Vegas Raiders fans can replay one Fernando Mendoza pass in their minds over and over until the first overall pick finally plays in the regular season.
Kirk Cousins got the start with the Raiders' starters getting some work in the preseason opener. Then Mendoza came on for the second series of the game, to a big ovation from Raiders fans. On his second drive he made a pass that showed why he was the top pick.
Mendoza threw to Malik Benson in between three Cardinals defenders. His pass went just past linebacker Jack Gibbens, a fifth-year player who has started 28 regular-season games, and right to Benson for 19 yards. It was a pretty pass from anyone, much less a rookie taking his first preseason snaps.
Fernando Mendoza threading the needle! Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PC9UPZvRxA
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026
The good news is that it was far from Mendoza's only highlight.
Mendoza had his first touchdown pass in an NFL uniform later in the second quarter. He hit Jack Bech over the middle for 6 yards. It was a quick decision and the right one for the rookie. He was 4 of 6 for 38 yards on that drive.
FERNANDO MENDOZA FIRST RAIDERS TD Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G8F3FQt60C
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026
Mendoza was 5 of 8 for 47 yards in the first half. He had 7 rushing yards on a couple of attempts and took some hits, which the coaches couldn't have loved, but overall it was as good as could be expected for the rookie's preseason debut. Mendoza started the second half and took a big hit on a third-down incompletion. He stayed in, playing into the fourth quarter, and led a drive into Cardinals territory. He just missed a pass into the end zone and the Raiders settled for a field goal attempt, though it missed.
Mendoza played four drives and finished 10 of 16 for 96 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers. He looked comfortable and made strong, accurate passes through his first action. That shouldn't be too surprising after how well he played for Indiana last season, winning a Heisman Trophy and the national championship. There were also some things that head coach Klint Kubiak will want to clean up, though that’s normal for any rookie.
The Raiders don't want to start Mendoza in Week 1 of the regular season. That's why they paid Cousins in free agency. But how Mendoza plays in preseason will help determine how quickly he does ascend to the QB1 spot. His first preseason outing was a positive step.
Fernando Mendoza threw his first preseason touchdown pass in his first action with the Raiders. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Ian Maule via Getty Images
However, Cousins also looked very good on Thursday night. He completed 5-of-6 passes for 50 yards and touchdown on his only drive of the night. He could play well enough to delay Mendoza's first start for a while. But if Mendoza continues to look good through the preseason, the urge will always be there once the regular season starts to see what he can do.
But for the foreseeable future, Raiders fans will have to settle for Mendoza's preseason highlights. There might be a few more to come this month.
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