Summary

In Thursday night's preseason game against the Houston Texans, Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got the start and delivered a mixed performance. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards, but his third pass of the night was intercepted by Texans rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, putting Houston up 14-0. Mendoza finished the night with a stat line that reflected his ongoing adjustment to the NFL.

After the game, Mendoza admitted the throw was incorrect and said it underscored the steep learning curve from college to the professional level. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, however, refused to name a starting quarterback for the regular season, keeping both Mendoza and veteran Kirk Cousins guessing about their roles. This decision came despite earlier comments from Kubiak suggesting Cousins was the leader in the clubhouse.

The Raiders' quarterback situation is further complicated by the fact that Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, and team minority owner Tom Brady has advocated for a patient approach. Meanwhile, analysts have discussed whether Mendoza should start Week 1, even as Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes was cleared to fully participate in training camp, highlighting the league's focus on quarterback health and readiness.