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Fernando Mendoza goes viral for moves at Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Raiders' Fernando Mendoza goes viral for moves at Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Fernando Mendoza is one of the quarterbacks for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026, and his only competition for the starting role is veteran Kirk Cousins. Ahead of the new season, both Mendoza and Cousins have been getting the royal treatment from the Las Vegas locals, including the Vegas Golden Knights.

Last month, Cousins appeared and cranked the siren before Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. It was a Q1 move, but now, Mendoza has also made a high-profile appearance at a Golden Knights game.

Development could take time, even for Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza, of course, is largely expected to become the team's franchise quarterback, but since it's difficult to go straight from rookie to franchise quarterback in the NFL, even when you're a Heisman Trophy winner, Cousins is in Vegas to help. On Saturday, Mendoza showed up at the Knights game and sounded the siren before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

ESPN shared the moment on X, stating, "The reigning Heisman winner and the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 pick is in the building for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final."

Now, that post is up to nearly 1 million views, and it's climbing. People are getting a kick out of seeing Mendoza in the house and showing his loyalty to the Vegas sports teams.

Cousins is expected to start in the Raiders' first game of the season, but it's possible, even likely, that Mendoza will take over during the season. Either way, it's an exciting time for Vegas fans.

Anne Erickson

Anne Erickson is an award-winning news reporter covering the NFL, NBA, college sports and more for Yardbarker. Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and other sports, and her work has been published by Fox Sports, ESPN and Newsweek, among others. She has also interviewed a bevy of big names in sports and entertainment, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott

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