No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza throws
TD pass in preseason debut for Raiders in 27-14 loss to Cardinals
[August 14, 2026]
By MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS (AP) — No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown
pass in his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in a 27-14
loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
The Heisman Trophy winner led one touchdown drive for the Raiders
(0-1) in four series — not including a kneel-down at the end of the
first half — and finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a 6-yard TD pass
to Jack Bech.
“I thought he led a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out
of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls
down,” Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said. “I saw the same guy that
we’ve seen in practice. I see an ascending player.”
Mendoza was more critical in his self-evaluation.
“Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today,” Mendoza said. “But
it's a growing experience, and I feel like we're all growing. It
showed me that I need to grow a lot.”
Mendoza became the first top overall draft selection to throw a
touchdown pass in his first preseason game since 2018, when Baker
Mayfield had two for Cleveland against the New York Giants.
Mendoza just missed a second touchdown pass in the fourth quarter,
throwing beyond the reach of Deven Thompkins. He was sharp at times,
threading a 19-yard pass in the second quarter between three
defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson.
While noting that everything came together on that play, including
his timing with the receiver, Mendoza said some of his throws were a
bit off.
“There's other passes I made that did not have great timing and
anticipation,” Mendoza said. “But that was one that was a good
connection. You see (starter) Kirk (Cousins) is timing and
anticipation — boom, boom, boom. So that's an area I've got to grow
in.”
The expected rematch of college football national championship
quarterbacks didn't happen because the Cardinals (1-1) decided not
to play Carson Beck, who has sore ribs. Mendoza led Indiana to a
27-21 victory over Beck and Miami in the title game in January.
“Being the preseason, we just didn't want to risk it,” Cardinals
coach Mike LaFleur said. “It was kind of a bummer for our fan base
and (media) and me and all us because we want to see these guys out
there.”
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws against
the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL
football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP
Photo/David Becker)
Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby also did not play, which wasn't
completely unexpected after Kubiak said Tuesday that his playing
status was to be determined. Crosby, who underwent knee surgery in
January, has participated in training camp.
Teammate Jermod McCoy, who hasn't played in nearly two years because
of a torn ACL, played with the second-team defense at cornerback. He
was the primary defender on two Cardinals touchdowns.
Each team's starting quarterback played one series, both resulting
in touchdowns.
Las Vegas' Cousins was 5 of 6 for 50 yards and a 13-yard touchdown
pass to Michael Mayer. Arizona's Jacoby Brissett completed all five
passes for 44 yards and a 7-yard TD to Marvin Harrison Jr.
Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew combined to go 15 of 15
for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the first half to build a
21-14 lead. That string of completions extended 16 early in the
second half before Minshew finally threw an incomplete pass on a
rollout to the right.
Rookie Jeremiyah Love, drafted third overall by the Cardinals, made
his preseason debut and rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries.
Injury report
Cardinals: Rookie right guard Chase Bisontis, who was drafted in the
second round, injured his left knee. LaFleur said the injury appears
serious. ... LaFleur said he didn't think Love's ankle injury was a
major concern.
Up next
Cardinals: Host Dallas on Aug. 22.
Raiders: At Houston next Thursday.
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