Overview
- Mendoza signed a four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract reported at about $57.27 million with a fifth-year team option, a deal the Raiders announced Thursday as rookies reported for training camp.
- The agreement includes a roughly $38.1 million signing bonus and sources say the timing of that bonus payment was the central sticking point in negotiations before the deal was completed.
- Mendoza’s signing completed the Raiders’ 2026 draft-class paperwork after fourth-round pick Jermod McCoy signed the day before, removing holdout barriers to rookie participation in camp.
- Las Vegas plans a deliberate ramp for Mendoza with limited first-team reps during camp and preseason while veteran Kirk Cousins is positioned to open the season as the starter unless Mendoza’s performance forces a change.
- The contract resolution highlights how signing-bonus payment schedules can shape rookie leverage and could influence how other top draftees structure their payouts under the NFL rookie wage framework.