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Preseason football are not always the most exciting games to watch, but Las Vegas Raiders fans will surely be tuned in Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft and the future at quarterback for the franchise, will take his first NFL snaps in a real game.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that Mendoza will be getting “plenty of experience in the game,” as he also prepares for his first time leading the Raiders on the sideline.
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Fernando Mendoza looks to pass during the Las Vegas Raiders rookie minicamp at the team’s headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (David Becker/Getty Images)
Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator, is looking to lead the Raiders back to playoff contenders in his first season. And though he named Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback right now in training camp, Mendoza is someone he will need to develop into the franchise quarterback the organization believes he can be.
“Look forward to seeing him out there with his teammates,” Kubiak said, according to Raiders.com. “Lot of guys that we need to evaluate but he’ll get plenty of reps.”
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Cousins joined the team in free agency, and Kubiak always made it known that he preferred the veteran to lead the way first before Mendoza took over as the team’s starter.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs through a drill during a rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
That is the plan, but Mendoza will have a heavy spotlight on him during these preseason games to see how quickly he has learned Kubiak’s offense, as well as his chemistry with new teammates.
Starters are expected to play a couple series, though, which should mean Cousins is the first quarterback to step foot on the field for the Raiders. From there, Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell will take the reins at quarterback.
But just because Cousins has been named the starter, it doesn’t mean Kubiak can’t change his mind. Mendoza could play so well this preseason that Kubiak decides he is ready for regular-season NFL play.
Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins of the Las Vegas Raiders walk on a field during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on June 3, 2026. (Getty Images)
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Time will tell, but Mendoza’s expectations are through the roof and fans will be looking for him to execute quickly, even if the games don’t count toward their 2026 record just yet.
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