Raiders Secure First-round QB Fernando Mendoza Amid Bonus Dispute

WHO:

raiders.com - Mendoza spent his final college season at Indiana after three years at California, appearing in 36 career games with 35 starts.

raiders.com - Las Vegas Raiders, QB Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Drew Allar

USA Today - Mendoza's agent from Excel Sports Management, agents from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) representing Simpson, Beck, and Allar

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Mendoza's contract is officially valued at $57.27 million, which is fully guaranteed.

NBC Sports - Mendoza's signing clears the way for Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Steelers quarterback Drew Allar to sign their rookie deals.

NBC Sports - Mendoza stated, “Let’s get this thing rolling,” in a video released by the team on social media.

NBC Sports - Mendoza signed a four-year rookie contract worth $57.27 million, which is fully guaranteed.

NBC Sports - The Raiders hold a fifth-year option on Mendoza as part of his contract.

NBC Sports - Mendoza stated, “Let’s get this thing rolling,” in a video released by the team on social media.

NBC Sports - Fernando Mendoza signed his rookie contract, which is worth $57.27 million and is fully guaranteed.

NBC Sports - The Raiders hold a fifth-year option on Mendoza as part of his contract.

NBC Sports - Mendoza stated, “Let’s get this thing rolling,” in a video released by the team on social media.

raiders.com - Mendoza played in 20 games with 19 starts over three seasons at California (2022-24) after redshirting his initial collegiate season.

raiders.com - In 2024, Mendoza started 11 games and threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions.

raiders.com - Mendoza was a three-time ACC Quarterback of the Week and became just the ninth player in California history to record a 3,000-yard passing season.

raiders.com - As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Mendoza earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honorable mention after playing in nine games and recording 1,708 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed 691-of-1,008 passing attempts for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions over his college career.

raiders.com - Mendoza started all 16 games in 2025, finishing with 273-of-379 passing (72.0%) for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

USA Today - Mendoza's contract value is $57.2 million, with his signing bonus negotiation stalled due to a preference for a single lump sum payment.

raiders.com - Mendoza was named the Heisman Trophy winner, Associated Press Player of the Year, Associated Press All-American First Team, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and the Walter Camp, Davey O'Brien, and Maxwell Award winner.

raiders.com - Mendoza led the FBS in passing touchdowns with 41 and set a single-season school record with a 72.0% completion percentage, ranking third in FBS.

raiders.com - Mendoza was the only FBS quarterback since at least 1996 with multiple games of at least a 90.0% completion rate and four touchdown passes against Power 4 opponents.

raiders.com - Mendoza was also the only FBS quarterback with six games of four or more touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed 224-of-332 passes for 2,222 yards and 29 touchdowns during his high school career at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Fla.

raiders.com - The Las Vegas Raiders signed first-round draft pick QB Fernando Mendoza, the 1st overall pick.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed 691-of-1,008 passing attempts for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in his college career.

raiders.com - In 2025, Mendoza led Indiana to a national championship with a 16-0 season, completing 273-of-379 passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

USA Today - Mendoza's contract value is $57.2 million.

USA Today - Mendoza's signing bonus negotiation is stalled due to a preference for a single lump sum payment.

WHERE:

raiders.com - Henderson, Nevada, where the Raiders are based.

USA Today - Arizona, where Carson Beck is competing for the QB1 position with the Cardinals.

WHEN:

USA Today - Raiders rookies report to training camp on July 23.

USA Today - Cardinals rookies reported to training camp on July 22.

USA Today - Rams rookies report to training camp on July 25.

USA Today - Steelers rookies report to training camp on July 28.

WHY:

NBC Sports - The Raiders are likely to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback while Mendoza watches and learns.

NBC Sports - Mendoza's signing should clear the way for Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Steelers quarterback Drew Allar to also sign their rookie deals.

USA Today - Mendoza's signing bonus negotiation is complex due to differing preferences between his side and the Raiders regarding payment structure, with Mendoza's side opposing the Raiders' standard practice of paying signing bonuses in installments.

USA Today - Mendoza's side is advocating for a single lump sum payment for his signing bonus, which has become customary for No. 1 overall picks, contrasting with the Raiders' preference for installment payments.

USA Today - Mendoza's signing bonus negotiation is complex due to differing preferences between his side and the Raiders regarding payment structure.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Mendoza's signing bonus negotiation is stalled due to a preference for a single lump sum payment, which has become customary for No. 1 overall picks.

USA Today - Mendoza's side is advocating for a single lump sum payment for his signing bonus, while the Raiders prefer to pay in installments.

Mendoza's contract with the Raiders is officially valued at $57.27 million, fully guaranteed, and he expressed his excitement by saying, “Let’s get this thing rolling,” in a team video. His signing also paves the way for Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Steelers quarterback Drew Allar to finalize their rookie deals, while Mendoza will be watching and learning as Kirk Cousins is likely to start at quarterback. However, negotiations for Mendoza's signing bonus are currently stalled, as he prefers a single lump sum payment, a common practice for No. 1 overall picks.