‘NFL is a different level’

Welcome to the league, rookie.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza got his first taste of the NFL in Thursday’s preseason opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, admitting the competition was vastly superior than what he’s used to.

“No matter how good of a high school or college player you were, the NFL is a different level. And I felt that tonight and I have a lot to grow from,” Mendoza said.

The 22-year-old is coming off arguably one of the greatest college football seasons ever, leading Indiana to their first national title in school history. But even a player of that magnitude in college has much to learn at the start of his NFL career.

On Thursday night, Mendoza completed 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in four drives. He became the first No. 1 pick to throw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018.

Mendoza had flashes of brilliance in his preseason debut, but also looked like a young quarterback still acclimating to the speed of the NFL. On his first drive, the rookie threw two incompletions, which forced the Raiders to punt.

But Mendoza quickly regrouped on the second drive, where his 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jake Bech tied the score at 14. Though Las Vegas was defeated 27-14 by the Cardinals, Mendoza’s performance was overall encouraging.

Kirk Cousins opened the preseason game with 5-of-6 completions for 50 yards and a 13-yards touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer. The Heisman Trophy winner was tasked with following the veteran’s strong performance near the end of the first quarter.

Cousins claimed the starting quarterback job ahead of training camp, but as Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak put it, it’s his job to lose. But the organization drafted Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for a reason.

Mendoza is the future face of the franchise, but it’s up to him when he claims that title.

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