Raiders' Fernando Mendoza Will Get 'Plenty of Reps' in Preseason Opener
The No. 1 overall pick and reigning Heisman winner will see live action against the Cardinals as he continues developing behind starter Kirk Cousins.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, will get significant playing time in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cardinals, coach Klint Kubiak said. "I look forward to seeing him out there with his teammates. [There] are a lot of guys that we need to evaluate, but he will get plenty of reps," Kubiak said.
How has he looked in camp?
Kubiak praised Mendoza's preparation heading into his first live NFL action: "He has had an impressive training camp in terms of his preparation and being able to translate it onto the practice field," the coach said, adding that Mendoza "has done a good job of making adjustments and not making the same mistakes twice." Kubiak cautioned that preseason games are still a jump from practice: "That will be a whole other animal."
What's his background?
Mendoza transferred from Cal to Indiana and won the 2025 Heisman Trophy while leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated 16-0 season and a national championship, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. He joins Joe Burrow and Cam Newton as the only players in the common draft era to win the Heisman and a national title before going No. 1 overall the following draft. He's also the fifth Heisman winner drafted by the Raiders, after Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, Tim Brown and Charles Woodson.
Where does he stand behind Kirk Cousins?
Cousins remains the starter and works with Las Vegas's first team. Mendoza has worked primarily with the second team, picking up occasional first-team reps only when Cousins was unavailable, including after last week's practice altercation with Maxx Crosby.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Raiders QB Mendoza 'will get plenty of reps' in preseason opener
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