NFL fans brutally troll Fernando Mendoza after Raiders rookie suffers preseason disaster against Texans
Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza suffered a brutal welcome to the NFL during Thursday night’s preseason clash against the Houston Texans, turning the ball over on a costly 80-yard pick-six.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft faced a tough test against Houston, while looking to build momentum after a promising debut against the Cardinals last week.
However, instead, the former Indiana Hoosiers standout found himself on the wrong end of a signature rookie mistake during the first quarter at NRG Stadium.
Scanning the field following a play-action fake, Mendoza dropped back and was forced to cycle through his primary progressions.
Finding nothing downfield, he attempted a check-down pass toward the middle for running back Mike Washington Jr., but left the throw behind his target.
Rookie fourth-round linebacker Wade Woodaz read the play perfectly, stepping in front of Washington to snag the interception and sprint 80 yards down the sideline for a touchdown – outrunning a diving Mendoza along the way.
Fernando Mendoza had a brutal welcome to the NFL during their clash against the Texans
Mendoza threw a pick-six during the first quarter at the NRG Stadium in Houston
The turnover appeared to stem from a miscommunication, as Washington seemed to drift off the spot Mendoza anticipated him occupying.
It didn’t take long for NFL fans to brutally troll the Raiders rookie, rushing to social media to poke fun at his struggles in Houston.
Taking to X, one fan wrote: ‘Fernando Mendoza looks downright bad so far in the preseason. And his release looks SIGNIFICANTLY worse than it did at Indiana. Super low, truncated, and weak.’
‘Absolutely horrid foot work from Mendoza here,’ another wrote online.
‘Late and over the middle. Not a great combination. Fernando Mendoza learns that the hard way. Pick 6,’ another said.
The difficult outing came just days after Mendoza produced an impressive debut outing against the Cardinals, despite the Raiders falling to defeat on the day.
Raiders part-owner Tom Brady previously hailed the leadership qualities of Mendoza before he was picked by the Raiders.
In the aftermath of his Heisman Trophy win, the former Patriots quarterback said on Fox: ‘I love everything about his game. His leadership is what stands out. His relatability to his teammates. He’s overcome a lot of things in his career.
Fans brutally ripped into Mendoza over his struggles in Houston on Thursday night
The outing came just one week after Mendoza’s impressive debut against the Cardinals
‘He’s a Miami kid, went to Cal to Indiana, and then went to a program that hasn’t won anything in forever. What he’s done this season is so impressive.’
Mendoza has opened up on Brady’s guidance since he was selected by Las Vegas. He told People last month: ‘Tom’s given me a lot of advice – and I like to sometimes keep it close to the vest.
‘However, the one thing that he always says is that, hey, you’re in your early 20s and making sure you do everything possible to be successful and, and to best serve your teammates and not let your teammates down.’
‘Making sure you’re making all those decisions to the North Star and to best serve your teammates and to become the best quarterback you can become in order to help the team.’