{
  "id": 4125055,
  "title": "Ex-Chiefs HC completely backtracks on Fernando Mendoza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/ex-chiefs-hc-completely-backtracks-on-fernando-mendoza",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T06:16:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ex-chiefs-hc-completely-backtracks-061601677.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards expressed strong support for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza starting immediately during the offseason. However, after witnessing Mendoza's performance during the preseason, Edwards dramatically altered his stance, stating that the rookie was not yet ready to be the starting quarterback. Edwards highlighted Mendoza's struggles with play action, his slower decision-making, and high hit rate, which rank among the worst in the league. The preseason data from Warren Sharp's analysis further supports this new view. In contrast, veteran backup Kirk Cousins appeared to handle the pressure with greater ease, making him the favored starter for the upcoming 2026 season.",
  "summary": "In the offseason, former Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards was highly vocal about the Las Vegas Raiders starting rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza right away.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}