Derek Carr quote-tweeted Fernando Mendoza’s first touchdown pass in silver and black and wrote three words: “First of many!” The former Raiders starter was watching Thursday night as his old team opened the preseason against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. That kind of endorsement from a franchise legend turns a preseason snap into a talking point for the entire fan base.
What Actually Happened At Allegiant Stadium
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, connected with receiver Jack Bech on a six-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, tying the score at 14. On 3rd-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Mendoza dropped back and threaded a slant route to Bech between two defenders for the score. Mendoza finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and the touchdown in his first professional action, playing nearly three quarters after Kubiak handed him the offense following Cousins’ opening drive.
The Raiders ultimately fell 27-14, but the box score barely mattered next to the rookie’s poise. Kirk Cousins opened the game by leading a touchdown drive of his own, hitting tight end Michael Mayer from 13 yards out on the opening possession, before giving way to Mendoza for the rest of the afternoon.
Mendoza was notably self-critical afterward, saying, “Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today. But it’s a growing experience, and I feel like we’re all growing. It showed me that I need to grow a lot.”
Carr’s Endorsement Carries Weight In Vegas
“First of many!”
Carr started for the Raiders for nine seasons before departing, and his read on the franchise’s quarterback room still resonates with Raider Nation. A three-word tweet from a guy who threw passes in that building for nearly a decade lands differently than generic preseason hype. It also fits a broader storyline already building around Mendoza’s red-zone flashes and his evolving role in the Raiders offense.
Cousins Still Holds The Job, For Now
Head coach Klint Kubiak was blunt in his postgame press conference about where things stand, saying Cousins has been given the reps with the first-team offense and calling it his job to lose. That is a clear signal, but it is not a closed door with two preseason games still remaining before the Week 1 opener against Miami.
Kubiak was complimentary of what he saw from Mendoza regardless, saying, “I saw the same guy that we’ve seen in practice. I see an ascending player.” Cousins has had a solid training camp by Kubiak’s account, and the smart organizational play almost always favors the established veteran entering Year 1 of a new system. Still, if Mendoza keeps producing touchdowns on limited reps, the calculus gets harder for Kubiak with every passing week.
Why This Preseason Moment Matters More Than Usual
This is not just a feel-good social media moment. This is a former franchise quarterback publicly signaling belief in his successor before the successor has even locked down a roster spot. Carr’s tweet functions as an unofficial passing of the torch, even if Cousins remains the presumptive Week 1 starter under center.
The Raiders have already generated buzz as a potential worst-to-first candidate this season, and a viable rookie quarterback only strengthens that narrative for bettors tracking the league’s breakout playoff contenders. Vegas oddsmakers will be watching the quarterback competition just as closely as fans are, since it directly impacts the team’s season-win totals and divisional odds.
What Comes Next For Mendoza And The Raiders
Mendoza gets two more preseason games to build his case, with Kubiak expected to expand his reps as camp progresses. The Raiders open the regular season against the Dolphins on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium, and by then Kubiak will need a decision made. Whether Carr’s prediction ages well depends on how Mendoza handles more complex looks once real starters line up across from him.
