The Las Vegas Raiders announced the signing of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on Thursday.
The rookie quarterback agreed to a four-year, $57.27-million contract that is fully guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It also includes a $38.1-million signing bonus, according to Spotrac. The deal has a fifth-year option, like every first-round selection’s contract.
The delay in Mendoza’s signing was likely because he wanted to receive his bonus as a single lump sum, which isn’t how the Raiders usually pay out bonuses to their first-round picks, reports Joel Corry of CBS Sports.
The 22-year-old Mendoza became the top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a national championship in 2025. He passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns and completed 72% of his passes in his final collegiate season.
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