Although Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 of the regular season, all eyes were on Fernando Mendoza on Thursday night. The No. 1 overall pick from April made his debut after leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and a national title, along with a Heisman Trophy and plenty of other accolades for the star signal-caller. Going into the preseason opener, the Raiders made it clear that Mendoza would get a lot of work, and that's exactly what happened at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday. Mendoza went 10-of-16 for 97 yards with a score, although the Arizona Cardinals won, 27-14. Cousins started the game and connected with Michael Mayer for the first touchdown, but Mendoza hit Jack Bech with a 6-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to tie the game up.
FERNANDO MENDOZA FIRST RAIDERS TD Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/G8F3FQt60C — NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 Mendoza had plenty of notable plays, including threading the needle and making a tight throw despite lots of coverage.
Fernando Mendoza threading the needle! Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/PC9UPZvRxA — NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 Mendoza also had a must-see play fake that even fooled the cameraman.
Fernando Mendoza sold everybody on this one 🎥🏈 The Raiders rookie completely fooled the defense and even had the cameraman biting on the fake.#Raiders#NFLpic.twitter.com/JswJpbBRQU — Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) August 14, 2026 Cousins went just 5-of-6 for 50 yards and a score, but Mendoza had the most attempts out of the three quarterbacks. Aidan O'Connell went just 4-of-13 for 85 yards with no scores. Mendoza also became the first rookie QB to throw a touchdown in their preseason debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018, so take that as you will.
Fernando Mendoza is the first No. 1 overall pick to throw a pass TD in his preseason debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018. pic.twitter.com/hQHVwtEBQk — ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 14, 2026 Former NFL QB Chase Daniel was impressed by Mendoza, and the most impressive part was the absolute dime he had between all of the Cardinals defenders.
Fernando Mendoza absolutely RIPS this one off heavy play-action. That’s a throw not a lot of QB are willing to make. Perfect timing, placement & zero hesitation. Hell of a throw. pic.twitter.com/KqLH6OVLbQ — Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 14, 2026 When the Raiders signed Cousins in free agency, the expectation was that the veteran would start until Mendoza was ready to take over control of the offense. Yes, it's only preseason, and it's the Cardinals, but Mendoza looked more than comfortable out there in his first taste of NFL action on Thursday night. Fellow rookie Mike Washington Jr., the running back from Arkansas, also turned heads with six carries for 63 yards, and 53 of those came on one explosive run.
The rookie Mike Washington Jr. TAKES OFF for 53 yards 😤 Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/dIDqYckE2T — NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 Right now, it is Kirk Cousins' job to lose, although Mendoza might be coming for it if he plays anywhere close to as good as he did in the opener. The Raiders next preseason game will be on Thursday, August 20 against the Houston Texans, followed by August 27 game against the San Francisco 49ers, and it will be interesting to see how Klint Kubiak shares the workload going forward.