The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza for a reason, and that reason is clearly starting to show.
May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) stretches during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Las Vegas Raiders had OTAs this week, and of course, all eyes are on rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, and there will be times when that happens.
According to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com, Mendoza had a “pedestrian” team period on Thursday. Now, Thursday is the only day of last week’s OTAs that the media was allowed to see, and that’s worth noting. However, Mendoza ended the practice with a beautiful back-shoulder fade to rookie wide receiver Malik Benson. Those back-shoulder fades are what he’s known for, as even Kirk Cousins knows that’s Mendoza’s thing.
Fernando Mendoza was having a more pedestrian team period in OTAs before hitting rookie Malik Benson on a (you guessed it) back shoulder fade deep down the field.#Raiders
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) May 28, 2026
“I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team,” Cousins said on Good Morning Football before the 2026 NFL Draft. “I think he’s going to have a great future in the league… We were able to watch film together. So, I think he’ll be a great addition to the room, and I was even telling him how much success he had throwing back shoulders at IU, so I’d like to learn a little bit from him on how to throw a good back shoulder. So it’ll be a noisy quarterback room. We’ll all be helping each other.”
Mendoza also had one other very nice throw that stood out. He hit former Indiana teammate EJ Williams on a crossing route deep downfield, something they did a few times this past season.
Mendoza should be struggling or having a ‘Pedestrian’ start to OTAs
Hopefully, fans are not overreacting to this. Mendoza is a rookie, and he’s going up against some pretty good players on the Raiders’ new-look defense. His struggling, or even looking pedestrian, is normal. He should look at the Raiders’ defense, which is making him work. They’re not going easy on him, and they certainly shouldn’t. What’s the old saying? “Iron sharpens iron.”
That’s what this is. You will see Mendoza become more comfortable over the offseason. Then, when training camp is here, we should hear more great things about him. Now, don’t get it twisted, there will still be some rookie moments then, too. However, it’s important to remember he is developing.
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