The Las Vegas Raiders QB room houses the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza, who is fresh off throwing an 80-yard pick-six to Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz in the 2nd preseason game on August 20, 2026. 

Playing the entire first half, Fernando Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards against Houston. Reacting to Mendoza’s performance, former Los Angeles Chargers DT Breiden Fehoko pointed out that the rookie still has plenty of work ahead after throwing the 80-yard pick-six that put the game at 0-13.

However, the former defensive lineman also praised Mendoza’s raw mechanics and release. Fehoko noted that Mendoza has been learning from Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, and that he possesses the upside to lead the franchise in the future. However, he also had some unique advice for Mendoza.

“My only thing for Fernando Mendoza is we got to cool it on the interviews, bro. Like if we can just, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, uh, thank you, Mr. Buck,’ and ‘Yeah, I’m so grateful to be…’ Like, okay, Fernando, I get it. You did your thing in college; you were grateful, God is good, God is amazing, cool. But my big dog, we got to play quarterback now. You feel me? Like, them interviews, I get it, you’re a happy man, like go get with Maxx Crosby, go to a strip club, like lighten up, you know what I’m saying? So that’s my thoughts on Fernando Mendoza. I think he’s going to be a good player,” Fehoko explained on The Breiden Fehoko Show. 

Fernando Mendoza has made a name for himself for being a very polished speaker. It feels like he was media-trained right from the start of his career. However, it started much before stepping onto the field.

“People might think it’s fake, but it’s 100 percent him,” said Alberto Mendoza, per The Athletic’s Chris Vannini. “It’s greatly due to our parents. They taught us how to speak to people, how to carry ourselves, how to act in a professional manner.” 

Mendoza is aware of his public perception as an almost AI-like speaker who is a “goodie-two-shoes”. Explaining his drive to be a better leader and connect with his teammates, Mendoza explained how he built up his communication skills. 

“So, let me get really good at speaking. I’ve always taken speech classes; I’ve always looked at YouTube videos on how to communicate, you know, how to be a better leader, a huge reader as well. So, with that, it’s developed senses where people like all this guy’s ChatGPT, but I’ve been able to connect with my teammates really well and not in a ChatGPT scenario,” Fernando Mendoza told Raiders GM John Spytek during his NFL combine visit.

The Raiders managed to win the game against the Texans in the dying moments of the 4th quarter as backup QB Carter Bradley launched a 43-yard deep pass, caught by WR Ramel Keyton near the goal line, setting up a game-winning touchdown.

Fernando Mendoza will be hoping to be of more help in the Raiders’ final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers before the 2026 season starts.