Fernando Mendoza Makes Regular Season Debut For Raiders

The first overall pick of the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza made his regular-season debut for the Las Vegas Raiders, replacing Kirk Cousins late in a 45-17 blowout loss to the Patriots. Mendoza went 6-of-8 for 48 yards and added three rushing yards. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the move was strictly to give the rookie exposure in garbage time and does not signal a change in starting quarterbacks.