Top pick Fernando Mendoza faced rookie growing pains during a touchdown-free finale against the 49ers, navigating intense pressure as Las Vegas prepares to finalize its 53-man roster.
The 2026 NFL preseason has officially come to an end for the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders, as San Francisco won, 18-12, on Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
The Raiders used four different quarterbacks in this game, with veteran and QB1 Kirk Cousins going 8-of-11 for 51 yards.
Then came Fernando Mendoza, although the No. 1 overall pick went just 7-of-14 for 57 yards with an interception. That marked Mendoza's second interception of the preseason, and the week prior, he threw a pick-six against the Houston Texans.
Aidan O'Connell played again, going 3-of-9 for 32 yards, and Jacob Clark, who played college football at Missouri State, went 1-of-2 for 18 yards.
Mendoza's interception was on a high pass to Jalen Nailor, one of the Raiders many free agency additions.
In the game, every point came via field goals, and neither team scored a touchdown.
While Mendoza's interception was not a strong sign, the Heisman Trophy winner did make some noise with his legs. In the third quarter, he pulled off a neat spin move.
In total, Mendoza threw one touchdown and two interceptions in three preseason games, but the rookie said it was good experience to feel the "heat and duress."
“It’s the NFL, there are monsters on the other side of the ball and you need to get the ball out quick,” Mendoza said, via Mark Anderson of The Associated Press. “It teaches you, you need to play on time, and there’s less margin for error. So I think it’s a great experience having that heat and duress because diamonds are built under pressure.”
When the Raiders signed Cousins this offseason, it was later revealed that the plan was to have the veteran start the year as the QB1, and then work Mendoza in whenever he feels fully ready to shoulder the burden of the NFL game.
So far, this preseason has been a mixed bag for Mendoza, although it shouldn't take long before the former Indiana Hoosiers star adapts and is ready to be under center.
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. had another strong game, rushing for 49 yards on 8 carries, and making an attempt to carve out a back-up role behind Ashton Jeanty.
The Raiders will now work on trimming the roster down to 53 players, and the first game of the 2026 regular season will come in Las Vegas against the new-look Miami Dolphins, with Malik Willis making his Miami debut.
