The Las Vegas Raiders are set to face the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game, and all eyes will be on Fernando Mendoza, the team’s No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza, who is expected to be the future at quarterback for the franchise, will take his first NFL snaps in a real game.
Raiders’ Head Coach Klint Kubiak
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that Mendoza will get “plenty of experience” in the game, as he also prepares for his first time leading the Raiders on the sideline. Kubiak, who is fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator, is looking to lead the Raiders back to playoff contenders in his first season.
Kirk Cousins, who joined the team in free agency, has been named the starting quarterback for now, but Mendoza is someone Kubiak will need to develop into the franchise quarterback the organization believes he can be. Starters are expected to play a couple of series, and then Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell will take over at quarterback.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.