Klint Kubiak didn’t leave much room for interpretation after the Raiders’ preseason loss to the Cardinals. Kirk Cousins is still the guy in front, and Fernando Mendoza’s first NFL game didn’t change that.
After Las Vegas fell 27-14 on Thursday night, the first-year head coach made it clear that Cousins remains in control of the quarterback competition. “Kirk’s been getting the reps with the ones,” Kubiak said after the game about the Raiders' practices, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I think he’s had a solid training camp and it’s his job to lose."
That lines up with how the Raiders handled the night. Mendoza entered the game listed as QB2 behind Cousins, and Cousins got the start against Arizona. He was efficient, going 5-of-6 for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Mendoza’s debut had its bright spots too. He finished 10-of-16 for 97 yards and a score, a clean enough first showing on paper. But Kubiak also pointed to the usual growing pains that come with a rookie taking his first snaps.
"He led a good scoring drive," Kubiak said about Mendoza's outing. "As far as getting in and out of the huddle, commanding the group, getting the play calls down, I saw the same guy I see in practice. I saw an ascending player who’s got to keep getting better."
Afterward, Mendoza was blunt about what the night taught him. Per Ryan McFadden of ESPN, he said the game showed him he needs "to grow a lot." He also said he’d be up studying film because he had "nothing else to do" through the early morning hours.
Mendoza also said the speed of NFL defenders caught him a little off guard. And he had a small off-field adjustment too, joking about having to drive to Allegiant Stadium.
"That was the first time I've ever done that because usually college, you just hop on the bus," Mendoza explained. "It's very regimented, so there's a lot more autonomy that you get as an NFL player, a lot more flexibility, and I think that's going to be beneficial in the future."
Mendoza’s next chance comes Aug. 20, when the Raiders visit the Houston Texans.
In Other News...
Cardinals Rookie Battle Takes A Scary Turn With Chase Bisontis
Chase Bisontis had been one of the Cardinals most encouraging preseason developments, a second-round rookie who was starting to look the part before things took a sudden turn against the Raiders. Arizona had reason to be optimistic about his early work, which made what happened next all the more jarring for a roster trying to sort out young players and line combinations before the games start counting.
Bisontis went down with a left knee injury during the game and was helped off the field by two trainers before being carted to the locker room. He was ruled out for the remainder of the night, leaving the Cardinals waiting for the next update on a player they had been upbeat about only moments before the injury halted his progress. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Get First Look At A Raiders Dilemma Fans Should Watch
The Cardinals are about to get an early preseason look at one of the leagues more closely watched quarterback situations, with rookie Fernando Mendoza expected to play a significant role for the Raiders against Arizona. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has already drawn attention in training camp, and this first game action will give him a chance to show how far along he is against a live opponent.
Las Vegas still plans to open with veteran Kirk Cousins as its starter, but the preseason opener adds a layer of intrigue for anyone tracking the quarterback timeline. How Mendoza handles his snaps against the Cardinals could matter beyond one August game, because a strong outing would only intensify the pressure on the Raiders as they decide how quickly to move toward their long-term answer under center. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals QB Room Suddenly Has More Riding On This Week
The Cardinals quarterback room picks up a little more intrigue this week with Carson Beck sidelined for the preseason game against the Raiders. Beck took a rib injury in the Hall of Fame Game, and while the team is not treating it as anything serious, Arizona is choosing the cautious route and holding him out rather than pushing him back too quickly.
That leaves more snaps available for the rest of the group, with Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis all in line for a bigger look. For a preseason setting, that can matter quite a bit, since every extra rep is a chance to sort out the depth chart and see who can steady the offense if the team needs answers later on. [Read more 🡒]