Fernando Mendoza Bashes Himself for His Play in NFL Preseason Debut: ‘I Let My Teammates Down’

Natasha DyeFri, August 14, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC

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Fernando Mendoza on Aug. 13, 2026 in Las VegasCredit: Ian Maule/Getty -

Fernando Mendoza had tough criticism for himself after the Raiders’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, Aug. 1

“But it’s a growing experience, and I feel like we’re all growing. It showed me that I need to grow a lot,” Mendoza told reporters

The Raiders rookie said he was going to watch film from the game “definitely right after this” and joked, “I have nothing else to really do tonight”

Fernando Mendoza was hard on himself after the Raiders’ preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

After the Cardinals beat the Raiders 27-14 in their preseason debut on Thursday, Aug. 13, the 22-year-old rookie quarterback said he feels like he “let my teammates down” while speaking to reporters.

“Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today,” Mendoza, who was picked No. 1 at the NFL Draft in April, said at the podium. “But it’s a growing experience, and I feel like we’re all growing. It showed me that I need to grow a lot.”

The rookie quarterback said he “did not have great timing and anticipation” in some passes and praised QB Kirk Cousins in those areas.

Fernando Mendoza on Aug. 13, 2026 in Las VegasCredit: Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty

Mendoza also told media his night wasn’t finished after speaking to them. When asked how soon he plans to watch film from the game, he said, “Definitely right after this. I have nothing else to really do tonight,” prompting laughs from reporters.

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The Heisman Trophy winner said it felt “great” to be out on the field in a “real game” for the first time. “It’s the real game. There’s no saying what could happen. All you can control is that present moment. I look forward to learning from it.”

Mendoza also expressed his gratitude and excitement for his rookie season. “It’s a great moment, especially being able to play football in the NFL, and having so much gratitude but also wanting to take advantage of the opportunity,” he told reporters on Thursday.

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Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said he sees great progress in Mendoza. “I thought he led a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls down,” Kubiak said after the game.

“I saw the same guy that we’ve seen in practice. I see an ascending player,” he added.

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Source: “AOL Sports”