The Las Vegas Raiders have locked up their top draft selection, signing quarterback Fernando Mendoza to a four-year contract worth $57.27 million on Thursday.
Mendoza, who was chosen with the first overall pick in this year’s draft, was the final player among the Raiders’ 10 draft selections to put pen to paper. The team also holds a fifth-year option on his contract.
The young quarterback expressed his enthusiasm following the signing. “I’m excited to get this thing signed,” Mendoza said in a post on the team’s social media channels. “I’m excited to be a part of the silver and black. Can’t wait.”
During organized team activities and minicamp, Mendoza worked with the third-team offense. However, coaches are expected to give him a bigger opportunity when training camp kicks off Wednesday.
Standing between Mendoza and the starting job is veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who joined the Raiders on a free-agent deal with $20 million guaranteed. Cousins heads into camp as the clear-cut starter, though how long he holds that position figures to be one of the biggest storylines of the summer — and possibly the regular season.
Mendoza arrives in Las Vegas riding the wave of a remarkable final college season, during which he captured the Heisman Trophy and guided Indiana to its first-ever national championship.
In other Raiders news, star pass rusher Maxx Crosby announced on his podcast, “The Rush,” that he plans to participate in the rookies’ training camp sessions. Crosby has been working to recover from knee surgery.
