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Raiders' Mendoza Makes NFL Debut in Blowout Loss
Confirmed
In Short: Despite the blowout loss, Mendoza's debut was seen as a positive step for the Raiders' long-term plans.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' game against the New England Patriots, with the Raiders trailing by 28 points late in the game. Mendoza, who had been backing up veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, entered the game with 6:06 left in the fourth quarter, replacing Cousins, who had thrown for 243 yards and a touchdown earlier in the game.
Mendoza completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards and had a three-yard scramble, showing promise in his limited playing time. According to analysts, Mendoza made his reads and progressions well, indicating a solid start to his NFL career.
Despite the blowout loss, Mendoza's debut was seen as a positive step for the Raiders' long-term plans. The team's decision to give Mendoza the final offensive drive against the Patriots was viewed as an opportunity to assess his potential as the future franchise quarterback.
Kirk Cousins, who signed a multi-year deal as a bridge starter, has had a strong start to the season, throwing for 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games. However, the calls for Mendoza to take over as the starter will likely grow louder after his debut performance.
Mendoza's debut also marked the first time since 2018 that a No. 1 overall draft pick did not start in Week 1, following in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield. The Raiders' front office had reshaped the quarterback room, signing Cousins and drafting Mendoza with the top pick.
The Raiders' decision to keep Mendoza on the bench for the time being was expected, with head coach Klint Kubiak announcing before the season that Cousins would start. However, Mendoza's performance on Sunday may have changed some minds within the organization.
Mendoza's first NFL action came after a series of preseason performances, including a 6-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 14 during a practice session. He also completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards in a simulated game scenario.
While Mendoza's time on the field was limited, his debut provided a glimpse into his potential. The Raiders' long-term strategy remains focused on developing Mendoza as the future franchise quarterback, with Cousins serving as the bridge starter for the 2026 season.
What this adds
Despite the limited playing time, Mendoza showed promise, making his reads and progressions well, according to analysts. The debut was seen as a positive step for the Raiders' long-term plans.
Background
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' game against the New England Patriots.
Despite the blowout loss, Mendoza's debut was a positive step for the Raiders' long-term plans.
What's confirmed
- I know a portion of the fan base will call for Mendoza to start now.
- "It's just a matter of time before it really gets to a point where he looks back and he says, 'Man, I really feel like I've got this,'" Cousins said of Mendoza last month.
- With the Las Vegas Raiders facing a blowout against the New England Patriots, the team turned to Fernando Mendoza to replace Kirk Cousins under center in the fourth quarter.
- Fernando Mendoza has served as Kirk Cousins’ backup, and the No. 1 overall draft pick was called upon late in the game as the Raiders were routed in New England.
What's still developing
- While Mendoza will have to wait a bit to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, confidence around the 23-year-old has to be high.
- He reached a new milestone on Sunday by getting his first NFL action, and he'll look to make the most of his next opportunity when it comes.
- The quarterback threw his first incompletion on the next play, though.
- Mendoza is the next chapter in a story that began long before he arrived in Las Vegas.
- Robert Griffin III joins Jason McIntyre to discuss Kirk Cousins being named the Las Vegas Raiders’ starter over Fernando Mendoza, and whether or not Jaxson Dart will breakout with the New York Giants this season.
- But again, Bowers is bringing that in, and even Kubiak told reporters both before and after watching the film that Nailor has to make the play there, absolving Mendoza of blame.
- Kirk Cousins just looks more efficient and comfortable executing Klint Kubiak's offense, as one could argue he has all preseason.
- The 3-0 start now looks like a distant memory, and the offense that scored at least 26 points in each of its first four games was held to 17.
- The touchdowns went to Demario "Pop" Douglas (twice), Hunter Henry, and Kyle Williams.
- “I need to work on my speed because I wasn’t fast enough to get the edge, but I need to stand in there and throw the ball over the middle,” Mendoza said.
- That plan separated Mendoza from recent top overall quarterback picks, most of whom started from Day 1.