{
  "id": 17639095,
  "title": "Why Raiders QB plan means it might be a while before Fernando Mendoza starts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/why-raiders-qb-plan-means-it-might-be-a-while-before-fernando-mendoza",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T16:54:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-raiders-qb-plan-means-165405624.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Las Vegas Raiders are set to play their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, for an extended period, according to a recent report. This means that rookie first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza may not get a chance to start anytime soon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reveals that the Raiders' plan is to have Cousins play as long as possible, and they do not believe he is to blame for the team's recent struggles. Despite a 3-0 start, the Raiders are not planning to rush Mendoza into action. The team is committed to keeping Cousins as the starter for as long as he continues to perform well, which has been the case so far. While it seems surprising for the Raiders to not give Mendoza a start or two by the end of the season, this is the current plan for the team.",
  "summary": "The plan for the Raiders at the QB position might mean Mendoza will wait a while.",
  "key_points": [
    "Las Vegas Raiders plan to keep Kirk Cousins as starting QB for now.",
    "Fernando Mendoza, rookie QB, unlikely to start soon.",
    "Team committed to Cousins' performance, not rushing Mendoza."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}