Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over signing bonus. QB remains unsigned - USA Today

What the report says

USA Today reported that the four highest-drafted quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft were unsigned as NFL rookies began reporting to training camps on the morning of July 22, with No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza’s negotiations with the Las Vegas Raiders drawing the most attention. The article was later updated to note that the Arizona Cardinals announced Carson Beck’s signing on July 22 and the Raiders announced Mendoza’s signing on Thursday.

According to USA Today, Mendoza’s talks had been held up by the structure of his signing bonus. A person familiar with the situation told the outlet that Mendoza’s camp wanted the bonus paid all at once, while another person familiar with the Raiders’ process said the team normally pays signing bonuses in installments. USA Today also cited CBS Sports’ Joel Corry in noting that recent No. 1 overall picks have typically received their signing bonuses in a single payment.

The report said Mendoza’s rookie contract was valued at $57.2 million, while fellow first-rounder Ty Simpson’s deal with the Los Angeles Rams was valued at $25.4 million. Beck, selected by Arizona at No. 65, was listed at $7.4 million, and Pittsburgh Steelers pick Drew Allar at No. 76 was listed at $7.1 million, based on Over The Cap figures.

USA Today framed the delay as part of broader rookie quarterback contract maneuvering, where bonus timing, guarantees and offset language can still be negotiated despite the NFL’s slotted rookie pay system. The issue mattered because unsigned rookies cannot take part in training camp, and the quarterbacks were entering very different roster situations with the Raiders, Rams, Cardinals and Steelers.