Fernando Mendoza, Raiders' No. 1 Pick, to Gain "Plenty of Experience" in Preseason Debut

Las Vegas Raiders fans are keenly awaiting Thursday night's preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, as it marks the professional debut of highly anticipated quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza, the top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, is set to take his first snaps in an NFL game, drawing significant attention even in exhibition play.

Mendoza Set for Extensive Preseason Action

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who is also making his debut leading the team from the sideline, indicated that Mendoza would gain "plenty of experience" during the contest. Kubiak, fresh from a Super Bowl win as the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator, aims to guide the Raiders back into playoff contention in his inaugural season. While Kirk Cousins has been named the current starting quarterback in training camp, developing Mendoza into the franchise quarterback the organization envisions is a key objective for Kubiak.

I look forward to seeing him out there with his teammates. Lot of guys that we need to evaluate but he'll get plenty of reps.

Kubiak stated, emphasizing the importance of evaluating all players, including his promising rookie quarterback.

Quarterback Depth Chart and Immediate Outlook

Cousins joined the team through free agency, and Kubiak consistently expressed his intention for the veteran to lead the offense initially, before Mendoza assumes the starting role. This is the established plan, but Mendoza will be under significant scrutiny during these preseason games. Observers will be assessing how rapidly he grasps Kubiak's offensive scheme and develops rapport with his new teammates.

Starters are typically expected to play for a few series in preseason, meaning Cousins is likely to be the first quarterback on the field for the Raiders. Following Cousins, Mendoza is slated to take snaps, sharing quarterback duties with Aidan O’Connell.

High Expectations for the Rookie

Although Cousins has been designated the starter, this decision is not necessarily immutable. Mendoza's performance throughout the preseason could be so impressive that Kubiak might decide he is ready for regular-season NFL action sooner than anticipated. Only time will tell, but expectations for Mendoza are exceptionally high, and supporters will be eager to see him perform effectively right away, even though these initial games do not contribute to the team's 2026 regular-season record.