Mendoza Shows Growing Pains in Raiders' Preseason vs Texans

Mendoza completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown before halftime. The 2026 No. 1 overall pick was confused by the Texans' elite defense, which resulted in a pick-six on his second drive. Despite the early mistake, he showed resilience after a pep talk from Maxx Crosby. zeppelin.cool

While his efficiency dropped compared to his previous outing, Mendoza is expected to serve as the backup quarterback. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed he will likely fill this role for the near future as he continues to develop.