Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick in the [2026 NFL Draft](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raiders-agree-57-2m-contract-172640092.html), signed a four-year, $57.27 million contract with the [Las Vegas Raiders](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/raiders-sign-no-1-pick-fernando-mendoza-contract-rcna588989) on Thursday, July 23. According to [USA TODAY Sports](https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/07/23/fernando-mendoza-raiders-contract-training-camp/91027053007/), the deal is fully guaranteed and includes a fifth-year option. Mendoza was the last of the Raiders’ 10 draft picks to sign.
Fernando Mendoza Signs Rookie Contract With Las Vegas Raiders
Negotiations between Mendoza and the Raiders were reportedly stalled over the payment structure of the quarterback’s signing bonus, according to [USA TODAY Sports](https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/07/23/fernando-mendoza-raiders-contract-training-camp/91027053007/). A person familiar with the situation stated that the Raiders’ standard practice is paying signing bonuses in installments, whereas single lump-sum payments have become customary for No. 1 overall picks. The deal includes a $38 million signing bonus, as reported by [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raiders-agree-57-2m-contract-172640092.html).
I'm excited to get this thing signed,
Mendoza said in a video released by the team, according to [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/first-overall-pick-fernando-mendoza-signs-guaranteed-deal-raiders-arrow-up-nfl-club). Excited to be a part of the Silver and Black. Can't wait. Appreciate you guys all support. Let's get this thing rolling.
College Pedigree and Draft Background
Following Cam Newton in 2011 and Joe Burrow in 2020, Mendoza is just the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win the Heisman Trophy and a national title prior to being selected No. 1 overall in the ensuing NFL draft, according to [NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-sign-2026-no-1-overall-pick-qb-fernando-mendoza-to-rookie-contract).
Mendoza played his first two college seasons at Cal before transferring to Indiana ahead of the 2025 season, per [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raiders-agree-57-2m-contract-172640092.html). In his final season of college football, he carried Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and the first national championship in school history, throwing for 3,535 yards, an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Across 36 career games, including 35 starts, he completed 691 of 1,008 passes for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions.
After finishing the previous season with a 3-14 record, the Raiders used the franchise’s second No. 1 overall pick in the Common Draft Era to select Mendoza, as noted by [NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-sign-2026-no-1-overall-pick-qb-fernando-mendoza-to-rookie-contract). The franchise previously selected LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall in 2007.
Training Camp Quarterback Competition and Expectations
Mendoza’s signing coincides with the reporting of Raiders rookies and select veterans to training camp, with the first full-squad practice scheduled for Wednesday, according to [Silver And Black Pride](https://www.silverandblackpride.com/las-vegas-raiders-news/135079/raiders-news-fernando-mendoza-rookie-contract). During organized team activities and minicamp, Mendoza ran the third-team offense, but he is expected to take on a larger role in training camp, per [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/raiders-sign-no-1-pick-fernando-mendoza-contract-rcna588989).
Veteran Kirk Cousins, who turns 38 the following month and signed a free-agent contract with $20 million guaranteed, enters camp as the No. 1 quarterback, according to [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/raiders-sign-no-1-pick-fernando-mendoza-contract-rcna588989) and [Silver And Black Pride](https://www.silverandblackpride.com/las-vegas-raiders-news/135079/raiders-news-fernando-mendoza-rookie-contract). Cousins signed a one-year deal with the team to serve as a bridge starting quarterback, as reported by [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/first-overall-pick-fernando-mendoza-signs-guaranteed-deal-raiders-arrow-up-nfl-club).
While general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak have expressed a general desire in an ideal world to see rookie quarterbacks sit and learn, an exact timeline for Mendoza has not been publicly announced by the team, according to [Silver And Black Pride](https://www.silverandblackpride.com/las-vegas-raiders-news/135079/raiders-news-fernando-mendoza-rookie-contract).
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