{
  "id": 6620239,
  "title": "Raiders could copy Patriots plan for rookie Drake Maye with Fernando Mendoza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/raiders-could-copy-patriots-plan-for-rookie-drake-maye-with-fernando",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T18:37:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raiders-could-copy-patriots-plan-183721832.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Las Vegas Raiders are facing uncertainty in their quarterback position as Brock Bowers is sidelined due to meniscus surgery. The real issue for the team is determining when Fernando Mendoza will take over for Kirk Cousins. ESPN 's Jeremy Fowler suggests the Raiders could adopt the same plan the New England Patriots used with rookie quarterback Drake Maye in 2024. Maye did not start for a month, but the strategy has worked well for the Patriots so far. The Patriots had Jacoby Brissett as a stopgap option to Maye, who lasted about a month with a 1-4 record before taking over. If the Raiders follow this strategy, Mendoza could make his NFL debut in Week 6, playing against the Buffalo Bills in Las Vegas. Mendoza would face a formidable opponent, but playing at home would benefit the Raiders from a fan-excitement standpoint. The Bills' defense might not be too overwhelming for Mendoza, and starting in Week 6 would provide the rookie with valuable experience before facing a tougher challenge in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.",
  "summary": "This plan the Patriots used would make sense for the Raiders to copy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Drake Maye’s 3-interception night has Patriots fans worried about one word",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/drake-mayes-3-interception-night-has-patriots-fans-worried-about-one",
        "published": "2026-09-10T12:03:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Seahawks news: Was Drew Lock trash talking Drake Maye?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/seahawks-news-was-drew-lock-trash-talking-drake-maye",
        "published": "2026-09-10T20:07:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}