Fernando Mendoza had a tough time during his second preseason game on Thursday night. However, his overall showing demonstrated that the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft continues to flash the skills needed to eventually start in the NFL.
Although the Las Vegas Raiders bounced back for a 22-20 victory over the Houston Texans, the team quickly found itself in a 14-0 hole early in the first quarter after Mendoza overthrew his third pass of the game, resulting in an interception by rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz, who returned it for an 80-yard touchdown. It wasn't the start the Raiders were hoping for, but it did put their rookie QB in a position to show how he would bounce back, another important step in Mendoza's development as the Raiders' quarterback of the future.
In all, Mendoza went 8 of 15 for 86 yards and showed his composure in spots. He did make some impressive throws despite facing consistent pressure throughout the night. While his receivers didn't help him with a few key drops, the rookie walked away with a valuable lesson.
"I came away with there's a lot more learning to do, and although that maybe you may have had a lot of success at another level, this level is a whole step further and that the margins are so small, and that one tiny mistake can lead to catastrophe," Mendoza said following the game.
It wasn't a disastrous performance by Mendoza overall. He still showed off his accuracy and strong arm on short-to-intermediate throws. He also showcased some of the toughness that became part of his identity while at Indiana. In assessing his overall performance, it was the eye test of his delivery, footwork and ability to execute plays under pressure that led to a B- in this game, a notch down from the B+ he earned in his preseason debut.
Why Fernando Mendoza earned a B-
Grade: B-
What stood out: The top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft looked very much like a rookie in his first preseason start. But one measure of an NFL starting quarterback is the ability to hang in there and bounce back after making a big mistake, like the pick-six Mendoza threw during the first offensive series of the game. Along with facing consistent pressure, Mendoza still found ways to deliver some impressive throws that showcased his accuracy and toughness in the pocket.
In all, Mendoza faced the type of adversity he needed for his development at the NFL level, and he still found ways to impress his head coach.
"I was pleased with watching the tape," Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said during a video conference Friday morning. "I really like what he did on third down. We were only 1-of-5 on third down in the first half. However, we did drop the ball twice, and we threw one short of the sticks on third and long. He had really good ball placement on the first third down of the game with a guy in his face. So, in the critical downs, I thought he was playing his best. There are things that we must get corrected that will be addressed ASAP."
Best throw/play: Kubiak's evaluation of Mendoza on third down was on display with 6:24 remaining in the second quarter. Facing third-and-7, Mendoza stood tall in the pocket and delivered an 18-yard strike to Malik Benson for the first down, showcasing the composure and accuracy that continue to stand out in his game.
What it means for the QB competition: Although Mendoza had his difficulties, Kubiak stated after the game that he is still undecided about who will start at quarterback in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. This leaves Mendoza in contention, even though the coach previously said the starting spot was Kirk Cousins' to lose as the first-round pick worked on his development. Cousins has remained steady and hasn't done anything to lose the job, but is Mendoza showing enough progress to make Kubiak seriously consider starting the rookie?
What's next: The decisive matchup could come in the third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Expect Kubiak to keep a close eye on both quarterbacks, but the spotlight will be on Mendoza and how he responds to the mistakes he made against Houston. Unlike Ty Simpson's situation with the Rams, where the rookie is developing behind established starter Matthew Stafford, Mendoza still has a chance to win the starting job. If he can clean up his mistakes while continuing to show poise under pressure, the Raiders' quarterback decision could get much more interesting.
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