Fernando Mendoza Struggles as Raiders Fall to 49ers in Preseason Finale
By Next Play Report | August 28, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders wrapped up their preseason Thursday night with a disappointing 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but the biggest storyline centered on rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, struggled to find a rhythm in his final preseason appearance. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards, threw one interception and was sacked twice.
Mendoza Faces an Early Test
Mendoza entered the preseason with enormous expectations after being selected first overall.
Against San Francisco, however, the rookie quarterback had difficulty generating consistent offense. The Raiders relied heavily on veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins early in the game, while Mendoza later received an opportunity to show what he could do.
The performance was not the finish Mendoza wanted, but preseason results do not always tell the full story of a young quarterback’s development.
Raiders Lean on Kirk Cousins
Before Mendoza took over, Kirk Cousins started for Las Vegas and completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards.
Cousins helped the Raiders produce two early scoring drives, giving the team some offensive momentum before the younger quarterbacks took over.
The veteran’s presence also gives Las Vegas experience in its quarterback room as the franchise prepares for the regular season.
49ers Win Behind Strong Kicking Performance
San Francisco’s offense did not produce a huge night either, but kicker Eddy Piñeiro made a major difference.
Piñeiro connected on all six of his field-goal attempts, including successful kicks from 59, 54 and 51 yards. His perfect night accounted for all 18 of San Francisco’s points.
The 49ers also kept regular starting quarterback Brock Purdy on the sideline, while Mac Jones saw limited action.
What Comes Next for the Raiders?
The preseason is now over, meaning the Raiders must quickly shift their attention toward the regular season.
For Mendoza, the next few weeks will be important. The rookie will have more time to work with the coaching staff, study the offense and build chemistry with his teammates before the games begin to count.
One rough preseason performance does not define a first-round quarterback. The real evaluation will come when Mendoza faces regular-season defenses and the pressure of meaningful games.
A Rookie Worth Watching
Despite the difficult outing, Mendoza remains one of the most closely watched young players in the NFL.
Being the first overall pick comes with enormous expectations, particularly in Las Vegas. Every throw will be analyzed, and every mistake will receive attention.
But the Raiders did not draft Mendoza expecting him to become a finished product overnight. His development will likely be a process.
The preseason finale simply provided another piece of that evaluation.
Final Takeaway
The Raiders finished the preseason with an 18-12 defeat, while Fernando Mendoza experienced a challenging night against San Francisco.
The rookie quarterback still has plenty of time to prepare for his first regular NFL season. For Las Vegas, the bigger objective now is turning preseason lessons into a strong opening stretch.
Mendoza’s journey is only beginning, and the NFL regular season will provide the real test.
