Maxx Crosby praised for sideline gesture to Fernando Mendoza after rookie QB’s horror moment

Maxx Crosby offered Fernando Mendoza some words of encouragement after the rookie quarterback threw a pick-six in his second preseason game.

The No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft started and played the entire first half for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Houston Texans on Thursday night.

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He went 8-for-16 with 86 yards and an interception, which was returned for an 80-yard touchdown by Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz.

Mendoza gave chase on the return, but was left face-down on the turf as he tried to stop his fellow rookie from reaching the end zone.

Maxx Crosby praised for Fernando Mendoza encouragement after preseason pick-six

The moment was a clear reminder that there will be plenty of growing pains in his first NFL season, but luckily for the Heisman Trophy winner, he has a teammate like Crosby on the sidelines.

Crosby, who saw a move to the Baltimore Ravens fall through during the offseason, was seen sharing a moment with his rookie signal caller.

The star defensive end was one of the first players to approach Mendoza after his pick-six, and the pair embraced before the latter returned to the field.

Later in the first half, Crosby was interviewed by ESPN, and asked to share his thoughts on the rookie QB and his INT.

“That’s football, it’s not going to be perfect, you’ve got to go through some ups and downs,” the five-time Pro Bowler told Laura Rutledge.

“That’s part of the game, it’s how you respond. So that’s what I told him, ‘Keep being yourself, keep playing.’

“He’s been great, you come in as a rookie, and you’ve got to start all the way back at the bottom.

“So he’s had the right attitude, he’s worked his a** off, he’s been in here every day.”

Crosby’s words, and his actions on the sideline, didn’t go unnoticed by fans.

“Really cool moment, and a great message from Maxx to the rookie,” one wrote on X.

“My dawg! Proper leadership,” another said.

“Can tell Mendoza has won that locker room over already,” a third wrote.

“This is leadership… Crosby has taken Mendoza under his wing, mentoring him both on and off the field,” a fourth suggested.

Fernando Mendoza can become ‘great’ NFL quarterback

It’s not just Crosby who has seen positive things from Mendoza in his first few outings for the Raiders.

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Three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman, who was on the call alongside Joe Buck on Thursday, believes the rookie can be a ‘great player’ in the NFL.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but he has shown me already, in such a short time, that this young man is capable of being a really great player in this league,” Aikman said of Mendoza, before kick-off.

“I think the fact he’s likely not going to start the season, he has a chance to kind of ease into it, that’ll help him.

“Just as a young player, understanding it’s not all going to go that smooth. He’s got to learn a new playbook, get to know his teammates better than he already has, the competition he’s playing against, the windows he’s throwing the football into.

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“It’s a learning situation each and every day. He’s talked about that, it’ll continue. I’m excited… I’ve been really impressed talking to him.”

Mendoza, already, is winning over plenty of people with his attitude, and his play.

He’ll likely get another run out, in the Raiders’ preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers next Thursday.