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Fernando Mendoza debut grades: Raiders rookie QB teases greatness early in preseason originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Las Vegas Raiders didn't need to see much of Fernando Mendoza in his first NFL preseason action to feel awesome about their decision to select the quarterback No. 1 overall in the 2026 draft.
Mendoza, this time coming off the bench to relieve presumed veteran bridge starter Kirk Cousins in the Raiders' Week 1 preseason game vs. Arizona, picked up where he left off in his last college game as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner leading Indiana to a national championship over Miami. Although Mendoza was denied a CFP final rematch of a QB duel with injured Cardinals rookie Carson Beck, he came out making plays at a familiar high level in the Raiders' new offense under coach Klint Kubiak.
Despite the strong second-string performance, Mendoza may not have done much to change the mind of Kubiak and watchful part-owner Tom Brady, given Cousins also played well before him. Mendoza did, however, show all the promise to live up to the hype of a can't-miss future franchise passer.
Here's a breakdown of how Mendoza thrilled the home fans in Las Vegas for the first of many times to come. MORE: Fernando Mendoza's complete family tree
Fernando Mendoza's stats vs. Cardinals
Passing: 10-for-16 for 97 yards, TD, sack, 6.1 yards per attempt, 100.3 passer rating
Rushing: 2 attempts for 6 yards
Mendoza entered the game for the Raiders' second possession, following Cousins leading a long touchdown drive and Jacoby Brissett answering with a Cardinals TD pass to match. Mendoza completed his first pass on his second attempt, a third-down-converting outside bullet to second-year wide receiver Jack Bech.
Fernando Mendoza's first completion as a Raider 👀 Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/mbULxTi1NS
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 As Kubiak had hinted, Mendoza got extended work after Cousins, finishing out the first half with impressive numbers and playing into the early fourth quarter. MORE: Inside Fernando Mendoza's unique LinkedIn commercial
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Grading Fernando Mendoza's NFL debut
What Mendoza did well
Mendoza didn't take long to settle into good passing work both out of the shotgun and under center. He got into a rhythm and showed off a consistent quick release. He showed he had a rather firm early grip on Kubiak's playbook, taking advantage of the commitment to help him with a balanced offense.
Mendoza was able to handle his variety of throws well, sparked by the quick out to Bech. His most jaw-dropping debut moment came on a 19-yard pass off play-action to rookie sixth-round wide receiver Malik Benson, zipping the ball past three downfield defenders.
Fernando Mendoza threading the needle! Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PC9UPZvRxA
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 That opening completion on Mendoza's second possession sparked a vintage scoring drive. That included a clutch seven-yard burst in the red zone and recovering well from taking a sack inside the Cardinals' 5 to hit Bech two plays later for his first TD pass.
FERNANDO MENDOZA FIRST RAIDERS TD Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G8F3FQt60C
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 Mendoza had his footwork down pat and was unfazed with his mechanics while under some pressure. Through playing three-quarters plus, Mendoza offered an accurate touch on short-to-intermediate passes and was fearless to work the middle of the field. Kubiak and Brady had to be pleased with the polish that will only shine brighter with more experience. MORE: Fernando Mendoza and every other Heisman winner in history, by year
What Mendoza didn't do well
Mendoza did everything he could to lift the Hoosiers. He could take his time in the pocket and pick apart most college opponents. He learned early that the speed of NFL defenses on the pass rush hits different, with Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen dropping him. Mendoza invited a few more hits from Arizona when perhaps pressing to try to do too much.
As excited as Kubiak and Brady had to be, they also saw the reason why they don't want to put Mendoza in too early and have him take lumps that rattle the great assets of his confidence and competitiveness. Mendoza will no doubt do well to adjust his decision-making for his next outing, keeping up his momentum to start sometime at midseason.
Even with the peccadilloes, Mendoza proved that when his time comes to replace Cousins, he will bring out his best and not look back.
Grade: A-
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