All articles tagged with #mendoza
The Raiders plan to develop first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza behind veteran Kirk Cousins, giving him time to learn the NFL and adjust to speed, with the possibility of an earlier-than-expected start if the season falters and coach Klint Kubiak keeps competition alive.
Rookie QB Fernando Mendoza had a rough preseason showing against Houston, going 8-of-15 for 86 yards, taking a sack and tossing an 80-yard pick-six to Texans rookie Wade Woodaz; Las Vegas managed only a 52-yard field goal for its first-half points and trailed 20-3 at halftime as Mendoza handed the reins to Aidan O’Connell for the second half.
Fernando Mendoza delivered a poised preseason debut for the Raiders, going 10-of-16 for 97 yards with a touchdown to Jack Bech over four series against the Arizona Cardinals, plus one sack as a learning moment. Coach Klint Kubiak called it an invigorating experience and said Mendoza will get more reps while he’s groomed behind Kirk Cousins, with two more exhibitions and a joint practice looming to continue his development.
Rookie Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ No. 1 pick in 2026, showed promise in his NFL preseason debut with four drives, going 10-of-16 for 97 yards and throwing a TD to Jack Bech in a 27-14 loss to Arizona. He acknowledged he must grow, citing the faster pro defenses and the higher autonomy in the NFL, and said he’ll study the game film tonight. Coach Klint Kubiak praised his growth and indicated Kirk Cousins remains the preseason starter, with Mendoza expected to be brought along slowly before he potentially starts, with another game set for Aug. 20 against the Texans.
Raiders' Fernando Mendoza and Cardinals' Jeremiyah Love stood out in the preseason, with Arizona topping Las Vegas 27-14 as Mendoza threw a six-yard TD to Jack Bech and Love displayed burst on a key 3rd-and-1 run and a hurdle; Marvin Harrison Jr. also scored for the Cardinals, who next host the Cowboys while the Raiders travel to Houston for their next game.
Arizona Cardinals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 27-14 in a 2026 NFL preseason game at Allegiant Stadium, with Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza throwing a touchdown in his debut. Arizona built a 21-14 halftime lead behind efficient play from Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, then held on for the win as both teams cycled quarterbacks. The Cardinals move to 1-1 in the preseason, while the Raiders drop to 0-1.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a rough fourth day at Raiders training camp, showing indecision under pressure, a long-developing deep ball, and a late interception by Greedy Vance that turned into a pick-six. The outing underscores the growing pains of an NFL transition, with Mendoza acknowledging he still has a lot to improve.
Internal Mets reporting suggests Carlos Mendoza’s firing was a symptom of broader dysfunction tied to David Stearns’ offseason roster overhaul. More than a dozen insiders blame the front office for assembling a rotation of free agents and trades that hasn’t clicked, leaving a group plagued by injuries and underperformance as stars like Lindor and Soto have been limited. With Alonso and Díaz departing in free agency last year, and eight new players contributing a combined 3.2 fWAR (many with negative value), the team is 34-48 and on pace for its worst mark since 2003. Stearns acknowledged that offseason changes could be partly to blame as Mendoza’s exit highlights persistent organizational issues beyond any single manager.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza's inquisitive approach has Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko re-evaluating the offense, with the staff weighing potential changes and whether Mendoza or Kirk Cousins will start Week 1 against the Dolphins.
Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick, says he’s still the underdog and at the bottom of the totem pole, pledging to earn teammates’ respect daily while absorbing Klint Kubiak’s West Coast offense and using the Raiders’ playmakers to prove himself after a college path that included Cal, Indiana, and a Heisman-winning 2025 season.
ESPN draft oracle Mel Kiper released a two-round mock predicting Las Vegas will draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, addressing the Raiders’ quarterback and nose tackle needs. Mendoza earns praise for NFL-ready throws and mobility, while McDonald adds interior run-stopping ability with upside as a pass rusher, aligning with the Raiders’ holes and echoing similar two-pick scenarios seen from other analysts.
With Fernando Mendoza widely projected as the Raiders’ No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas plans to pair him with Kirk Cousins for development while keeping the door open for a early- or mid-year starter depending on camp merit. GM John Spytek says the “best man will play,” but Mendoza’s arrival doesn’t preclude waiting a bit. The club also aims to use its nine additional picks to shore up the roster at safety, offensive line, and receiver and could move around the board to optimize value.
Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek says the Week 1 quarterback starter will be decided by merit among Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins, and Aidan O’Connell; Mendoza isn’t guaranteed the job and could wait until September, with Cousins available if Mendoza isn’t ready; the team aims to avoid rushing a rookie and will play the best man for the job.
Breer details the Raiders’ exhaustive Mendoza vetting ahead of the 2026 draft, and then surveys major March NFL topics—from premium-player contracts and NFL-NFLRA talks to potential Garrett trade, Ravens’ draft asset strategy, coming Seahawks sale, Jets’ and Steelers’ quarterback plans, and ongoing A.J. Brown chatter, plus quick league notes.
Las Vegas, owning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is weighing veteran QBs Kirk Cousins or Joe Flacco to mentor rookie Fernando Mendoza as it builds around a new coach; with Aidan O’Connell the only QB on the roster and cap space around $27–28 million, the choice hinges on cost and Mendoza’s development, with Cousins being pricier and Flacco cheaper but both connected to Klint Kubiak’s offense.