Did the unofficial start of the Fernando Mendoza era in Las Vegas provide reason for hope after the No. 1 overall pick passed his first rookie test? Can the rookie zip dart fearlessly in tight windows and move the offense?
After losing 27-14 on Thursday night, the Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak says that Mendoza is the same player he has seen in practice. Going in and out of the huddle and his scoring drives are looking pretty good, even after losing to the Arizona Cardinals.
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Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
“I thought he led a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls down,” Kubiak said [h/t The Associated Press]. “I saw the same guy that we've seen in practice. I see an ascending player.”
In the post-game interview, wide receiver Jack Bech noted a few points about Mendoza's game. He said that Mendoza has patience to go in and see the game and understand it, which is different from practice.
“Just the amount of poise that he had to go out there to be able to get through all his progressions make amazing throws,” Bech told reporters. “He's really starting to see the game and understand the game at a great level. He's in there working hard each and every day, watching a lot of film.”
But Mendoza's mind is elsewhere. He said that there is some flaw in his throw timing and connection.
“Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today,” Mendoza said. “But it's a growing experience, and I feel like we're all growing. It showed me that I need to grow a lot. There's other passes I made that did not have great timing and anticipation. But that was one that was a good connection.”
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Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images
Looking at the offense, senior quarterback Kirk Cousins commented about Bech, saying that his strong hands are really important.
“What I've noticed of Jack is very strong hands, and as a quarterback, there's going to be tight coverage in this league, and so you need people who, with someone right on them, can still go grab the football, and that's what the great receivers I've played with have been able to do,” Cousins said following the Raiders' preseason opener. “And Jack has that trait.”
Bech scored his first touchdown, catching a six-yard pass from Mendoza. Kubiak has praised him for getting better, so the coach isn't too surprised either.
“He stepped up, had an excellent game,” Kubiak said. “He really has had an impressive camp as far as just being a guy that's continually straining and getting better and hasn't had all the reps in practice, and then he came out tonight and was ready to roll. So, I was happy but not surprised with what he did tonight.”
Rookie QB Mendoza completed 10 out of 16 passes for 97 yards and has a touchdown. In the second quarter, he threw a 19-yard pass through three defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson. Mendoza faked a handoff, confused the defense, then went through his reads and targeted Benson.
Mendoza played exactly the way analysts were expecting from him. He led his college team to win both the Heisman and the national championship and was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick, all of which is definitely no show-off. For the Black & Silver, he could prove to be a big deal in the future.