Fernando Mendoza Eyes Texans Start After 97-Yard Preseason Debut

Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza prepares for Thursday's 8 p.m. ET kickoff against Houston following his 97-yard passing performance against Arizona.

Fernando Mendoza enters Thursday’s 8 p.m. ET preseason matchup against the Houston Texans on ESPN following a debut where he recorded 97 passing yards and one touchdown. The Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, showcased this progress during a 27-14 preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals. While veteran Kirk Cousins led the starting unit to an early scoring drive, Mendoza operated primarily with the second-team offense. Despite his statistical output, the former Indiana standout identified jitters during his opening series along with specific misreads and misthrows that require correction.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak described the young signal-caller as an "ascending player" who possesses an advantage in preparation over other young quarterbacks. During joint practices in Houston this Tuesday, Mendoza faced adversity when he threw a red-zone interception to Texans safety Jalen Pitre. The quarterback utilizes the Spanish word "tranquilo" to maintain composure after such turnovers, emphasizing the importance of not letting mistakes burden subsequent series. This mental approach follows a collegiate career where Mendoza earned the Heisman Trophy and a national championship at Indiana in 2025 after starting as a three-star recruit.

Studious Habits and Notebook Documentation

Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan noted that Mendoza’s preparation involves writing out every pass play, including specific progressions and footwork details, in a physical notebook. Although Sullivan joked about the quarterback’s handwriting and suggested typing the notes, he praised the effort Mendoza puts into self-critique. This habit dates back to Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where a 15-year-old Mendoza would forego lunch in the cafeteria to review practice plans in the office of coach Dave Dunn. Even during offseasons in South Florida, he analyzed defensive schemes to suggest new plays for the Explorers' game plan.

Before the April draft, Mendoza studied film of how Kubiak utilized the Seattle Seahawks' offense to familiarize himself with the system. His high school coach recalled a regional final game where Mendoza’s attention to detail was evident; after scrambling for a touchdown on the first drive because no receivers were open, Mendoza returned to the sideline to provide a step-by-step breakdown of the pressure and his decision to move left. Dunn, who has coached at the school since 2019, observed that Mendoza rarely encountered defensive looks that caught him off guard due to this meticulous study.

Professional Development and Mentorship

To bridge the gap between himself and 15-year veteran Kirk Cousins, Mendoza has implemented a rigorous extra-curricular schedule. He spends late nights on the indoor practice field running through the offensive script with teammates and schedules additional time with centers to improve his comfort level operating under center. Following his first preseason appearance, the rookie immediately began reviewing film of his performance. He currently seeks guidance from minority owner Tom Brady and receives mentorship from Cousins to improve his anticipation and timing on the field.

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor noted that Mendoza is actively seeking a mental edge over opponents through these sessions. Fullback Connor Heyward added that the quarterback’s desire to earn his position contributes to a positive outlook for the franchise's future. Mendoza continues to document his growth in the same manner he did at Cal from 2022 to 2024, where he held his only Power 5 offer before transferring to Indiana. As the Raiders prepare for the 2026 season, the coaching staff views his tireless work ethic and "old-school approach" as the primary assets for his transition to the professional level.