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Raiders Fall 27-14 as Rookie Mendoza Throws TD

8/14/2026

Summary

Mendoza Leads Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders fell 27-14 to Arizona Cardinals in the preseason opener.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, threw one touchdown and was sacked.
Coach Klint Kubiak said the team will give Mendoza plenty of reps and will not rush his development.
Maxx Crosby sat out as the Raiders allowed 368 yards and the Cardinals scored on each of their first five drives.

Summary

Mendoza Throws TD

Mendoza became the first No. 1 overall pick to throw a preseason TD since 2018 (Baker Mayfield).
Fans praised Mendoza on social media.
Mendoza transferred from Cal to Indiana before winning the Heisman Trophy and a national title in 2025.
Minority owner Tom Brady said young quarterbacks are often “thrown to the fire,” urging patience with Mendoza.
The debut coincided with the Raiders advertising a unique 2026 season-ticket package.

History

Historical Context

After the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Vick with the first overall pick in the 2001 draft—making him the league’s first African-American quarterback taken at No. 1 and sparking the mobile-quarterback era—the NFL began valuing dual-threat players. That shift informs today’s Las Vegas Raiders, where coach Klint Kubiak highlights rookie Fernando Mendoza’s preseason touchdown as proof that patient development of athletic quarterbacks can shape long-term roster strategy.

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Mendoza Leads Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders fell 27-14 to Arizona Cardinals in the preseason opener.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, threw one touchdown and was sacked.
Coach Klint Kubiak said the team will give Mendoza plenty of reps and will not rush his development.
Maxx Crosby sat out as the Raiders allowed 368 yards and the Cardinals scored on each of their first five drives.

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