Top pick Fernando Mendoza reports to Raiders camp, signs contract

Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders have a deal.

>Mendoza, a Miami native, signed his rookie contract with the Raiders, the team announced Thursday, July 23. Mendoza signed a four-year, $57. 2 million fully guaranteed contract. The deal also includes a fifth-year option.

>As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza’s rookie deal was slotted and predetermined, but top draft picks, especially quarterbacks, have some leverage. Signing bonus cash flow, guaranteed money details and offset language are negotiable terms in rookie contracts.

>The top four quarterbacks selected in this year’s draft – Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck and Drew Allar – were all unsigned as of Wednesday morning.

>The Arizona Cardinals signed Beck to his rookie deal Wednesday afternoon. Cardinals rookies reported to training camp on Wednesday, so there was a sense of urgency to sign Beck. The same can be said for Mendoza as Raiders rookies reported to camp on Thursday.

Fernando Mendoza signing bonusMendoza’s signing bonus is what stalled the quarterback from originally signing his rookie deal with the Raiders, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss such deals.

>Single lump sum payments have become customary for No. 1 overall picks. The last No. 1 pick that didn’t receive their signing bonus in a single lump sum payment was Kyler Murray when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. A person familiar with the Raiders process told USA TODAY Sports the Raiders’ standard practice is paying signing bonuses in instalments. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

>Now that Mendoza and the Raiders have settled their contract situation, the rookie quarterback can now turn his focus on Year 1 with the Silver and Black.

>The Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason. Cousins is expected to start the season while the Raiders take a conservative approach with Mendoza, a quarterback they hope is the future of their franchise.

>Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Top pick Fernando Mendoza reports to Raiders camp, signs contract