Fernando Mendoza

Player News

• Raiders' Fernando Mendoza: Sees first NFL action in Week 5 loss

  3D ago • By RotoWire

  Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards without a touchdown or turnover in Sunday's 45-17 loss to the Patriots. He added three yards on his only carry. With the game out of hand, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak elected to give Mendoza his first pro snaps on the team's final drive of the game, and the first overall pick in the 2026 draft acquitted himself well in a low-pressure situation, with his longest completion going for 16 yards to Tre Tucker. Mendoza even led Las Vegas into the red zone, but he came up just short on a fourth-and-4 from New England's 14-yard line as he scrambled for the sticks. It was only a matter of time until Mendoza replaced Kirk Cousins under center on a permanent basis, but a switch may not be imminent with the veteran QB having led the team to a 3-2 record. Mendoza has at least given his coach some early confidence that he'll be ready when the time comes.

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• Raiders' Fernando Mendoza: Plays spectator in Week 4 loss

  9D ago • By RotoWire

  Mendoza did not see the field for the Raiders' 30-27 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. Mendoza spent all of Sunday's game on the sidelines while Kirk Cousins took every snap under center, with the veteran quarterback completing 31 of 52 passes for 365 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Even with the loss, the Raiders are off to a 3-1 start to the season, so Mendoza is unlikely to see playing time unless Cousins were to miss time or Las Vegas' 2026 campaign takes a turn for the worse.

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• Raiders' Fernando Mendoza: Yet to take NFL regular-season snap

  15D ago • By RotoWire

  Mendoza did not play in the Raiders' 35-27 Week 3 win over the Saints. Kirk Cousins again took every snap under center for Las Vegas in the high-scoring victory. There was some thought before the start of the season that Mendoza could eventually work his way into the starting role if Cousins and/or the team struggled early, but instead Las Vegas is 3-0 and Cousins is tied for the NFL lead with nine touchdown passes. Mendoza is likely continue to learn on the sidelines barring an injury to Cousins or a dramatic downturn to the Raiders' success.

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• Raiders' Fernando Mendoza: Observes Week 1 from sidelines

  30D ago • By RotoWire

  Mendoza did not see the field during the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. Kirk Cousins was named the Raiders' starter in early September, and the veteran quarterback commanded the offense sufficiently in Sunday's win, completing 21 of 30 targets for 160 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Mendoza is firmly entrenched as the backup, though the rookie first-overall pick could take over as the Raiders' starter later this season if Cousins' production dips.

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• Raiders' Fernando Mendoza: Opening season as QB2

  09/02/2026 • By RotoWire

  With coach Klint Kubiak naming Kirk Cousins the Raiders' starting quarterback Wednesday, Mendoza will open the season as the backup, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports. Mendoza was in the competition all offseason, but it was going to take some otherworldly play to knock Cousins out of the top spot on the depth chart. While Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown across 30 preseason snaps, Mendoza struggled some, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions during exhibition action. Cousins is likely to have a decently long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains a good bet to make starts as a rookie.

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