{
  "id": 3385222,
  "title": "Kubiak: Raiders will decide when to start Mendoza based on his play and not the offense as a whole",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/kubiak-raiders-will-decide-when-to-start-mendoza-based-on-his-play",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:29:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kubiak-raiders-decide-start-mendoza-002931076.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak stated that the team will determine when to start rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza based solely on his performance, irrespective of the overall team's offense. This decision comes in light of the team's poor offensive performance last season, which ranked last in the NFL in both points and yards. Additionally, the offensive line is far from proven, with no wide receiver emerging as a clear No. 1 and a rookie running back potentially joining the team. Kubiak emphasized that the team will focus on growing in all aspects of the offense, treating each player and position group equally, and that the decision on Mendoza's starting role will ultimately be made by the coach.",
  "summary": "The Raiders' offensive line is far from proven, no wide receiver has emerged as a true No. 1 and a rookie could be the starting running back entering the season. Probably not the ideal situation to start a first-year quarterback, but players drafted first overall — as Fernando Mendoza was — usually join a team with a lot more questions than answers. Could that be a factor for when Raiders coaches…",
  "key_points": [
    "Raiders coach Klint Kubiak will decide Mendoza's starting role based on his play.",
    "Poor offensive performance last season ranked Raiders last in NFL in points and yards.",
    "Offense is unproven with no clear No. 1 wide receiver and rookie running back joining."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Raiders' approach to deciding when to start Mendoza reflects a shift from prioritizing team needs to evaluating the rookie quarterback's individual performance.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Kubiak: Raiders will decide when to start Mendoza based on his play and not the offense as a whole",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/kubiak-raiders-will-decide-when-to-start-mendoza-based-on-his-play-3389542",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:31:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}