Albert Breer’s Takeaways: With Fernando Mendoza Signed, the Raiders’ Positive Momentum Continues - Sports Illustrated

What the report says

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Las Vegas Raiders have completed a key piece of business before training camp, signing No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to a four-year rookie contract worth $57.27 million. Breer noted that all 257 draft selections are now under contract, with Mendoza among the final few to sign, making his deal important both for the rookie contract market and for a Raiders team trying to sustain offseason progress.

The report frames the signing as especially meaningful for Las Vegas after a major reset. The Raiders are entering the 2026 season with new coach Klint Kubiak, second-year general manager John Spytek, a large rookie group and numerous veteran additions. Spytek told SI that the organization wanted to avoid distractions in its first year with the new leadership pairing and keep the emphasis on football rather than contract issues.

Breer also highlighted the scale of roster turnover: the Raiders have 30 rookies, 16 new veterans and could have newcomers in nine of 22 starting spots. He wrote that Maxx Crosby’s participation after meniscus surgery, without landing on the physically unable to perform list, was viewed internally as a positive signal for the team culture Kubiak is trying to build.

In broader context, SI compared Mendoza’s average annual value with older top-pick rookie deals, including Sam Bradford’s 2010 contract, while noting that today’s rookie wage system and salary cap environment make direct comparisons imperfect. The column also briefly addressed other NFL topics, including Kyle Shanahan’s recovery from a July 14 car accident.