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The pressure has arrived early for Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza entered the league with enormous expectations after winning the Heisman Trophy at Indiana. His first preseason action, however, showed just how steep the transition to the NFL can be.

Against Houston, Mendoza struggled early, throwing a pick-six and completing 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards in the first half. Las Vegas eventually rallied for a 22-20 victory, but the performance provided a reminder that even highly touted quarterbacks need time to adjust.

The Raiders aren’t necessarily expecting Mendoza to carry the franchise immediately. Still, every preseason snap will be analyzed closely as Las Vegas determines how quickly its young quarterback can become the face of the organization.

For a team looking to build a new identity, Mendoza’s development could be the biggest storyline of the entire season.