Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza says quite part out…
Fernando Mendoza didn’t need a coach or analyst to clarify what went fallacious in the Las Vegas Raiders’ preseason finale.
The rookie quarterback might really feel it.
“The NFL is really tough,” Mendoza said after Thursday’s 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. “There is a big jump going from college to the NFL, and the speed, and there are just so many different aspects.”
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Keion White (56) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the first half of an NFL preseason soccer recreation on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/David Becker
That pace at present seems to be Mendoza’s best opponent.
The 49ers intercepted him once and sacked him twice as Mendoza accomplished 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards. It marked his second consecutive tough outing after he threw a pick-six against Houston.
More regarding than one mistake is the direction of Mendoza’s preseason numbers.
After a promising debut against Arizona, his completion share declined from 62.5 p.c to 53.3 and then 50. His yards per attempt fell from 6.06 to 5.73 and finally 4.07.
The stress splits clarify the decline.
Jalen Graham #41 of the San Francisco 49ers hits Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter of a preseason recreation at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
Mendoza accomplished almost 69 p.c of his passes and averaged 6.84 yards per attempt from a clean pocket. Under stress, his completion price collapsed to 23 p.c while his average fell to 1.62 yards per attempt. He also took 4 sacks and generated minus-1.54 EPA per pressured play.
His average time to throw remained regular at roughly 2.8 seconds. Mendoza is just not merely holding the ball without end. NFL rushers are reaching him sooner, defensive backs are closing throwing home windows sooner and choices that labored in faculty have gotten harmful a fraction of a second earlier.
“There are monsters on the other side of the ball, and you need to get the ball out quick,” Mendoza said. “It teaches you that you need to play on time, and there’s less margin for error.”
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) appears to throw a move to extensive receiver Jalen Nailor (9) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (This asset including all textual content, audio and imagery is supplied by Imagn Images. GWN Connect ha) IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Kirk Cousins offers an instance of what expertise can do within those compressed margins.
The 38-year-old is just not Las Vegas’ quarterback of the future. His best bodily years are behind him, and he joined the Raiders after a disappointing stint with the Atlanta Falcons.
He does, however, know how to make the NFL transfer at a manageable pace.
Cousins accomplished 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards against San Francisco, directing the Raiders into scoring vary on both possessions, in a efficiency Mendoza acknowledged as “ruthlessly efficient.” Across two preseason appearances, he completed 13-for-17 with one landing, no interceptions and constructive EPA in both video games. He was not hit once despite his restricted mobility.
Those numbers aren’t spectacular. That is the purpose.
Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders units up a play at the road of scrimmage in the first quarter of a preseason recreation against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. (2026 Getty Images) Getty Images
Cousins no longer wants to overwhelm defenses bodily. Years of expertise permit him to establish stress, anticipate openings and ship the ball before bother arrives. Mendoza is still processing those classes after the “monsters” are already closing in.
Head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the hole when he said Mendoza “needs another three preseason games.”
He won’t get them. With Las Vegas opening against Miami on Sept. 13, the Raiders must put together to win while giving their rookie time to alter.
That was the aim of signing Cousins before drafting Mendoza.
Cousins could also be outdated and imperfect, but he already understands the pace of the NFL. Until Mendoza does, that makes the veteran the fitting alternative for Week 1.
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