Fernando Mendoza is back in action and should get extended game time in the second week of preseason. He looked good on his first drive, until he didn’t. The Las Vegas Raiders rookie delivered a nice strike over a linebacker to Jalen Nailor before throwing a pick-6 to Texans LB Wade Woodaz later in the drive.
The NFL world took to social media to react to one of Mendoza’s first mistakes in the league.
NFL World Reacts to Fernando Mendoza’s Pick-6
It’s preseason, and Mendoza can simply flush the bad pass with limited consequences. The rookie quarterback tried to deliver the ball over the middle to rookie RB Mike Washington Jr., but he was late getting the ball out, and it cost him. It’s a learning lesson for the No. 1 overall pick and quite a humbling moment.
“Welcome to the NFL: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza throws an INT to Texans 4th-round rookie LB Wade Woodaz, who then took it back 80 yards for a TD,” said NFL reporter Ari Meiroz.
The NFL world is unforgiving and made sure Mendoza heard it for his blunder.
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“Late and over the middle. Not a great combination. Fernando Mendoza learns that the hard way. Pick 6,” said NFL insider Mike Garofalo.
Late and over the middle. Not a great combination. Fernando Mendoza learns that the hard way. Pick 6. pic.twitter.com/XxYgsv78GI
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 21, 2026
All quarterbacks learn this lesson, and former NFL QB Chase Daniel was on social media to tell Mendoza that lesson himself.
“Late across the middle is never the answer…4 hitches in NFL is too many,” said Daniel.
“First learning lesson for Mendoza, can’t be late coming back over the middle,” said NFL analyst JP Acosta.
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Mendoza was the first player off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, let alone the first quarterback, but one fan was ready to poke fun at that decision. Ty Simpson, the second QB off the board, was selected by the Rams and had a great preseason debut, so Underdog’s Sosa Kremenjas was ready to go at Mendoza that Simpson wouldn’t be throwing a pick-six.
“Ty Simpson would never,” said Kremenjas.
Ty Simpson would never https://t.co/bHrWfEsRbq
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) August 21, 2026
Mendoza is getting his fair share of criticism on social media, but PFN’s Ian Cummings explained that the increased speed at which he read the defense coming out of play action may have been an issue.
“PA from under center is tough cuz you gotta get the picture that much quicker from the drop. Looks like the defense took everything away when Fernando Mendoza turned around & his check down was late & behind,” said Cummings.
PA from under center is tough cuz you gotta get the picture that much quicker from the drop.
Looks like the defense took everything away when Fernando Mendoza turned around & his check down was late & behind. pic.twitter.com/cQoSWWFD2x
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) August 21, 2026
Kirk Cousins is likely to be the Week 1 starter, allowing the No. 1 pick to learn behind the veteran and develop into being completely ready when the time comes. After last week, many thought Mendoza might be ready right away, but today may have given Cousins more time as the starter.
“This play might have just added 2 games to Kirk’s number of starts this season,” said Ryan Paganetti.
This play might have just added 2 games to Kirk’s number of starts this season https://t.co/Tw0LLFaWJR
— Ryan Paganetti (@RyanPaganetti) August 21, 2026
Raiders fans should still be pumped for Mendoza. He looked great in his preseason debut and has shown plenty of reason to be optimistic.
Las Vegas, which finished second-worst on PFN Offense Impact Rankings last season, has weapons like Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, and Nailor, which is why they should be an offense full of fireworks when Mendoza eventually takes over as the starting quarterback in Vegas.
