Fernando Mendoza contract locks in Raiders’ No. 1 pick for camp
The Raiders signed No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza to a fully guaranteed $57.27 million rookie deal as training camp begins.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Fernando Mendoza’s contract is done, and the Las Vegas Raiders have their new quarterback in the building as training camp opens.
The Raiders announced Thursday that Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, has signed his rookie deal. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported the agreement is a four-year contract worth $57.27 million, fully guaranteed, with a fifth-year option.
That deal means every member of Las Vegas’ 10-player 2026 draft class is now signed, according to ESPN. The timing is tidy for the Raiders, whose rookies were reporting for training camp Thursday.
What is Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders contract?
According to ESPN, Mendoza’s rookie contract runs four years, carries a total value of $57.27 million and is fully guaranteed. The deal also includes a fifth-year option, the extra season NFL teams can use on first-round rookie contracts.
The Raiders marked the signing with a post on X, writing, “The wait 15 over,” alongside photos of Mendoza. The post leaned into his jersey number while giving Raider Nation its first official look at the No. 1 pick after the paperwork was finished.
For Las Vegas, the signing clears one piece of preseason business before the team gets onto the practice field. ESPN reported that Raiders veterans are scheduled to arrive July 28, with the first training camp practice set for the following day.
Who is Fernando Mendoza competing with?
Mendoza enters camp alongside veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell. ESPN reported he will be competing with both of them, putting the Raiders’ quarterback room in focus from the start of camp.
The rookie arrives with a rare label in franchise history. ESPN noted Mendoza is the first player selected first overall by the Raiders since JaMarcus Russell in 2007.
His signing also leaves just one first-round pick without a deal, according to ESPN. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson is now the only unsigned first-rounder from the 2026 draft.
The key details from ESPN’s report:
- Mendoza signed with the Raiders on Thursday.
- The contract is worth $57.27 million over four years and is fully guaranteed.
- The deal includes a fifth-year option.
- Las Vegas now has all 10 players from its 2026 draft class under contract.
- Raiders veterans are due to report July 28, with the first practice the next day.
With Mendoza signed, the Raiders can turn from contract watch to camp work. The No. 1 pick’s first NFL summer now starts with the deal done and the depth chart questions ready to follow.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.