The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams could be without their highly touted rookie quarterbacks as training camps are set to begin. Fernando Mendoza, selected first overall by the Raiders, and Ty Simpson, taken 13th by the Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft, have not yet signed their rookie contracts.
The Raiders' rookie training camp is scheduled to start on July 23, while the Rams' rookies are expected to report on July 25. Both teams are working to finalize deals with their new signal-callers before these deadlines.
Sources familiar with contract negotiations suggest that issues such as guaranteed money and offset language are typical sticking points in these situations. Agents and teams work through these details to reach an agreement. Both Mendoza and Simpson participated fully in voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) despite not having officially signed.
Mendoza is projected to begin the season as a backup to veteran Kirk Cousins. Simpson is expected to have a longer apprenticeship, learning behind the recently extended Matthew Stafford, who signed a two-year deal worth over $100 million.