The No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, threw an 80-yard pick-six on the Raiders’ opening possession in preseason Week 2. Yeah, you read that right. Eighty yards the other way for the defense. That’s how this guy, who is virtually guaranteed to get a starting opportunity at some point this season, kicked off his first start. It was a brutal welcome to the NFL for the top rookie QB.
Mendoza’s Rough Start Just Got Real
Look, adjusting from college to the pros is a beast, we all know that. But Mendoza’s performance this week earned him a D grade, and honestly, it felt like a tough one to watch. Finishing 8-for-15 for only 86 yards isn’t what you expect from a player drafted with such high hopes. And let’s not forget that 11-yard sack he took. You could practically feel the pressure on the guy. The source says this game didn’t reduce the gap between him and Kirk Cousins, which makes perfect sense. No, the goal wasn’t to rush him into the lineup, but you have to imagine the Raiders wanted to see a lot more than that. This kind of start is a serious gut check for a rookie trying to prove he belongs. The potential is there, sure, but this outing definitely raises some flags early on.
Other Rookies Showed Up When It Counted
While Mendoza struggled, some other first-year quarterbacks actually put on a show in Week 2. Guys like Joey Aguilar and Jalon Daniels? They’re out there scoring touchdowns in consecutive preseason games. Daniels even orchestrated a comeback win for the Buccaneers! That’s the kind of play that takes undrafted free agents and turns them into important depth pieces for their teams.
Then you have Cade Klubnik over on the Jets. He had a tough act to follow after Geno Smith completed all seven of his passes for a touchdown. But Klubnik held his own against a Steelers defense that was bringing major heat. He didn’t lead any scoring drives, sure, but he did get the Jets into field goal range during a two-minute drill at the end of the first half. The dude got sacked twice, and his offensive line wasn’t exactly giving him a ton of help. Their longest rush of the day was his own 16-yard keeper! He still walked away with a B grade, showing some real resilience. Drew Allar for the Steelers couldn’t quite repeat his three-touchdown debut, but hey, you can’t expect magic every single time out.
Overall, 15 rookie QBs saw action, and a handful made some serious noise. The strong showings in the preseason can really carve out meaningful roles, even if it’s as a second or third option. It’s early, but these guys are fighting for their careers, and you gotta love seeing the grind. What will these rookies show us next week? Every snap matters when you’re trying to make a name for yourself in this league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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