Raiders' Fernando Mendoza shines in second preseason game

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is drawing attention for his early preseason play, earning praise from Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman who says Mendoza could become a great player. While he has flashed impressive throws and poise under pressure, his preseason has included a costly pick-six and some inconsistency as the Raiders’ line has allowed pressure. Raiders coaches and teammates are emphasizing Mendoza’s work ethic and preparation, with offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko noting his relentless pursuit of mastery and others highlighting his competitive fire. Despite the ups and downs, the organization views Mendoza as a long-term building block and is giving him meaningful reps to develop ahead of the regular season, with the team planning more preseason work before the first game of the year. Some articles stress that Mendoza still needs to translate preseason moments into consistent performances, and that veteran Kirk Cousins remains the likely starter initially, while Mendoza’s development continues in the run-up to their upcoming preseason and regular-season tests. The overarching narrative is one of high potential, accelerated evaluation, and a commitment to patient quarterback development as Las Vegas weighs when Mendoza will take the reins.