Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, threw one touchdown pass this preseason. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Coach Klint Kubiak declined to announce his starting quarterback for Week 1 after the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason finale, saying he doesn't "need to name anybody."
Kubiak made the comments after an 18-12 setback to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday in Las Vegas. Veteran Kirk Cousins completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards in the loss.
Rookie Fernando Mendoza completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards and an interception. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, a score and two interceptions this preseason. He also was sacked four times.
"He needs another three preseason games," Kubiak said of Mendoza. "All those rookies do, and now that the season's starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life. But, us as coaches, we've got to get them ready to play and keep developing them."
