Fernando Mendoza displayed a few more rookie growing pains in his second preseason showing than his first.
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, started and played the entire first half of the Las Vegas Raiders’ second preseason game against the Houston Texans on Thursday. He completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards and an interception.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has employed one of the stingiest defensive schemes in recent NFL history, as Houston ranked No. 1 in yards allowed per game in 2025. That unit certainly confused Mendoza early on in the first half..
After starting his first drive with a needle-threading throw to Jalen Nailor that converted a second-and-15, Mendoza threw a mindless interception, resulting in a pick-six. He seemingly didn’t spot Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz lurking in the middle of the field, threw it right to him, and gave him the momentum to run the other way for an 80-yard return.
Mendoza’s pick-six put Las Vegas in a 14-0 hole.
After receiving a pep talk from veteran defensive end Maxx Crosby, Mendoza bounced back to find running back Dylan Laube out of the backfield for a first down.
Mendoza then took a hit as he delivered a completion to Connor Heyward. A completion to tight end Ian Thomas set up a 52-yard field goal from Matt Gay.
Mendoza started the next drive on a bootleg that went to Thomas. He connected with Mike Washington Jr. on a screen pass. He nearly led Las Vegas to another score, but when he targeted Malik Benson on an out route, the pass hit the receiver’s hands and dropped to the ground.
Las Vegas trailed 20-3 at halftime when Mendoza’s day was done.
After completing 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown in his preseason debut last Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals, Mendoza wasn’t nearly as efficient. Still, he showed the chops to read one of the NFL’s best defenses, and rebound from an early mistake.
With quarterback Kirk Cousins sitting along with the majority of Las Vegas’ starters, and head coach Klint Kubiak’s declaration, it’s clear Mendoza will fulfill the backup role for the near future. He still has a ways to go to be ready to start in the NFL, but Thursday’s preseason game, full of learning moments, will help him on that journey.
