Fernando Mendoza made an impressive entrance into professional football during the Las Vegas Raiders’ preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. The former Indiana quarterback, selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy, entered the game in relief of veteran Kirk Cousins and demonstrated the elite-level talent that made him a top prospect.
Playing into the early fourth quarter, Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown while maintaining a passer rating of 100.3. His performance was highlighted by a striking 19-yard completion to rookie receiver Malik Benson on a play-action play, threading a pass between three defenders downfield. Mendoza also engineered a scoring drive capped by his first NFL touchdown pass to Jack Bech, showcasing composure and precision in the red zone despite taking a sack on the drive.
Head coach Klint Kubiak and part-owner Tom Brady appeared pleased with Mendoza’s poise, footwork, and command of the offense. The quarterback displayed a quick release and fearlessness attacking the middle of the field. However, Mendoza also faced early challenges adjusting to the speed of NFL pass rushes, taking multiple hits from Arizona’s defense that served as a reality check compared to his college experience.
Though Cousins also performed well in his time on the field, Mendoza’s debut reinforced the organization’s confidence in their franchise quarterback of the future, earning him an A-minus grade for the evening.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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