{
  "id": 5184498,
  "title": "Raiders to start Cousins over top NFL Draft pick Mendoza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/raiders-to-start-cousins-over-top-nfl-draft-pick-mendoza",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T22:11:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raiders-start-cousins-over-top-221101710.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Las Vegas Raiders have selected veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starting player for the upcoming season. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the team's top draft pick, will not take to the field in the season opener. Coach Klint Kubiak announced the decision, stating that Cousins' strong performance and offseason have earned him the starting position. This marks the first time since 2018 that a first-round pick hasn't started, as Heisman winner Mendoza had led his college team to a national title. Mendoza, a Cuban-American, completed an impressive 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns during his senior year at Indiana. The Raiders, who have not won a post-season game since 2003, began their season against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.",
  "summary": "Number one NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza will not begin this season's opening game as the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday named experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starter.The Raiders begin their season against the Miami Dolphins in Las Vegas on September 13. amz/js",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Raiders officially name Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/raiders-officially-name-kirk-cousins-their-starting-quarterback",
        "published": "2026-09-02T16:45:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}