Free agent acquisition Kirk Cousins started at quarterback in the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason opener. He will lead the offense in Week 1 of the regular season, too. But how long will he maintain the No. 1 role?
That question is all the more prominent after Fernando Mendoza looked the part of a future starter in his professional debut. Following a splendid opening drive against the Arizona Cardinals in which Cousins amassed 50 yards and guided the Raiders to a touchdown through the air, first-year coach Klint Kubiak called his starter to the sideline and handed the keys to his offense to Mendoza. From there, the top overall pick in the 2026 draft received nearly three full quarters' worth of work, and he looked promising in doing so.
Mendoza entered at the 3:39 mark of the first quarter and closed up shop after the opening play of the fourth. In that span, he completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, and he added six rushing yards while also taking a sack. His final numbers were relatively pedestrian, and the Cardinals dramatically outdueled him in the box score, as Arizona's signal-callers combined for a remarkably effective 26-for-30, three-touchdown effort.
But it was the laser throws, mobility in the pocket and command of the offense that made Mendoza a standout from Thursday's contest and that made more of an impression than his modest numbers. Mendoza tacked plenty of "firsts" onto his ledger, and one of them came on a third-down conversion in which he found Jack Bech on the boundary for the first completion of his career. He displayed a fond connection with Bech throughout the night and connected with him for his maiden touchdown, as well.
FERNANDO MENDOZA FIRST RAIDERS TDStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G8F3FQt60C For a player facing the pressure that comes with the No. 1 overall pick and appearing on an NFL field for the first time, Mendoza appeared commendably poised. His footwork in the pocket, ability to extend plays with his legs and the 7-yard scramble he pulled off showed a certain comfort level as the figurehead of the offense. What's more, Mendoza was in complete control of Kubiak's highly renowned scheme.
Never was he rushed, and instead, he repeatedly worked through his progressions and found secondary options rather than forcing throws. The reigning college football national champion made great decisions and was not afraid to hit his checkdowns when necessary. He is clearly settled in the system, which could help him not only get onto the field as a rookie but also potentially thrive early in his career.
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