Raiders' Mendoza: 'Did not meet that standard' in debut

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza said he fell short of his own expectations in his NFL preseason debut, a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion also ran for six yards on two carries.

"Coach Andrew Janocko, coach Klint Kubiak and coach Mike Sullivan, they all have a very high standard," Mendoza told reporters. "That's a standard that I want to one day get to and that I know our entire offensive unit and team wants to get to. I did not meet that standard."

Veteran Kirk Cousins, 37, started and played one series. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a score. Mendoza, 22, took over for the next four series. He opened with two incompletions before settling in. With 3:13 left in the first half, he hit tight end Jack Bech for a 6-yard touchdown.

Mendoza, who called the game an "invigorating experience," said he needs to work on timing, anticipation and reading defenses. He also relayed advice from Tom Brady, the former NFL legend and a Raiders minority owner who gave Mendoza a call Wednesday night.

"He said, 'no matter how good of a high school or college player you were, the NFL is a different level,'" Mendoza said. "I felt that [Thursday night] and I have a lot to grow from."

Head coach Klint Kubiak said before training camp that Cousins would open as the starter. He confirmed after Thursday's game that the job remains Cousins' "to lose." Kubiak said he plans to give Mendoza more repetitions through the rest of the preseason.