{
  "id": 3389542,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:31:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/2026/08/25/kubiak-raiders-will-decide-when-to-start-mendoza-based-on-his-play-and-not-the-offense-as-a-whole"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Raiders coach Klint Kubiak explained that the decision to start rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the starter will depend on his performance on the field and not the overall success of the offense. Mendoza, who was drafted first overall, is likely to become the backup to Kirk Cousins when the season begins on September 13 against Miami. \"They've all got to get ready,\" Kubiak said. \"Whoever is playing quarterback for us, it's a team thing. It's not the QB playing well and everyone else is not or the other way around.\"",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:29:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}