The Las Vegas Raiders have signed quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $57.2 million. The deal, finalized Thursday as the Raiders' rookie class reported for training camp, also includes a $38 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option for the 2030 season.
Mendoza's agreement leaves Ty Simpson, the Rams' first-round selection, as the only unsigned player from the opening round. Simpson, a former Alabama quarterback taken 13th overall, is expected to sign his deal soon.
A significant point of negotiation in Mendoza's contract involved the payout schedule for the signing bonus. Historically, the Raiders and the Rams have spread such payments over multiple installments, unlike other teams that typically provide the bonus as a lump sum upon signing. The terms agreed upon by the Raiders and Mendoza could set a precedent for Simpson's negotiations with the Rams.
Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to an undefeated National Championship season in 2025, now enters a quarterback competition with veteran Kirk Cousins. The Raiders signed Cousins in the offseason to serve as a bridge quarterback, but the team remains open to Mendoza earning the starting job during training camp.
During his three years as a college starter, Mendoza played two seasons at Cal before transferring to Indiana for the 2025 season. In 36 career games, including 35 starts, he completed 691 of 1,008 passes for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. In his championship-winning 2025 season, he threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.