It’s only one preseason game, but Las Vegas Raiders fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what they saw from Fernando Mendoza on Thursday night.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft finally got his first taste of NFL action when the Raiders faced the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener. Mendoza didn’t start, but once he entered the game, he quickly showed why Las Vegas made him the first player selected in the draft.
Mendoza Looks Comfortable in First NFL Action
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak had already indicated that Mendoza would receive plenty of playing time, and the rookie ultimately led four Las Vegas drives.
The Heisman Trophy winner completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, helping lead one scoring drive in the Raiders’ 27-14 loss to Arizona. His touchdown pass went six yards to Jack Bech.
The numbers were solid, but Mendoza’s poise may have been even more encouraging.
He looked confident running the offense, consistently got the football out on time and displayed impressive accuracy. He also showed the ability to use his legs when a play broke down, something that could become another valuable part of his game at the NFL level.
Kubiak praised the rookie afterward, saying he saw the same player they’ve seen throughout practice and described Mendoza as an ascending player.
There is still plenty of work ahead, and Mendoza himself admitted he has plenty to learn. But the first impression was certainly a positive one.
For a Raiders organization hoping to finally find its long-term answer at quarterback, that’s exactly what they wanted to see from their No. 1 overall pick.
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