Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 No. 1 overall pick and former Heisman-winning Indiana quarterback, made his regular-season NFL debut Sunday in Las Vegas’ 45–17 loss to New England. Entering with just over six minutes left and the game out of reach, he completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards, opening with five straight completions but falling short on a fourth-down run near the Patriots’ goal line. Veteran Kirk Cousins had taken every Raiders offensive snap before the game, and Mendoza’s brief appearance did not signal a change in the team’s quarterback plans. Mendoza is expected to continue developing behind Cousins after a preseason in which he threw for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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