Fernando Mendoza struggles in Raiders' preseason finale against 49ers
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 9:16 PM
Last updated Aug 28, 2026
Fernando Mendoza ended his preseason with a challenging performance as the Las Vegas Raiders lost 18-12 to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. The rookie quarterback, selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, recorded 57 passing yards on 7-of-14 attempts with one interception and two sacks. Despite the setbacks, Mendoza expressed his desire to emulate the efficient play of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom he praised for his ability to turn possessions into points. Raiders' head coach Klint Kubiak defended Mendoza's performance, mentioning a catchable pass that led to the interception. The Raiders will finalize their roster decisions ahead of their season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.
- •Raiders lose 18-12 to 49ers in preseason finale
- •Mendoza completes 7-of-14 passes for 57 yards
- •Mendoza intercepted after struggling under pressure
- •Coach Kubiak defends Mendoza's performance
- •Next game against Dolphins on September 13
- 9:16 PMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza Reveals “Ruthless” Kirk Cousins Trait He Wants to Replicate After Rocky Show
"Fernando Mendoza’s final preseason tape isn’t one he’ll want on his highlight reel. The Las Vegas Raiders closed the preseason with an 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, and the rookie quarterback’s final audition came with rough edges. But the No. 1 2026 NFL draft pick used the moment to point at […] The post Fernando Mendoza Reveals “Ruthless” Kirk Cousins Trait He Wants to Replicate After Rocky Show appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
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