Opinion: Fernando Mendoza is what he is — every bit the rookie

Opinion: Fernando Mendoza is what he is — every bit the rookie The storylines from Thursday night’s NFL preseason contest were not about which Las Vegas Raiders players might make the biggest impact once the regular season gets underway. Instead, the focus fell on those who will likely remain quiet contributors. That group includes rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. What had been evident for some time was confirmed in the Raiders’ 18‑12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mendoza, the team’s newest signal‑caller, will begin the season on the sideline, watching veteran Kirk Cousins start the opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. During training camp and the three preseason games, Mendoza showed a mix of solid and uneven performances. He had good days and bad days, highs and lows, sharp repetitions and average ones. He is exactly what he appears to be: a first‑year player striving to master one of the most demanding positions in the NFL. There is nothing wrong with that. The league is tough, and there are no shortcuts. On Thursday, Mendoza completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards, throwing one interception that resulted from a tipped pass. He also relied heavily on check‑downs and short completions, and was sacked twice. He remains a work in progress, needing further seasoning while possessing upside beneath the helmet. Another rookie who stood out was running back Mike Washington Jr., who gained 49 yards on eight carries. Depending on the severity of Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury, Washington’s productive contributions could prove valuable for the Raiders. He demonstrated continued improvement, which was encouraging. With the preseason schedule now complete, the Raiders will next face the Dolphins. As expected, Cousins will take the field as the starting quarterback, while Mendoza will continue to observe, learn, and develop. There is nothing wrong with that. Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports writing, contributed to this coverage.