Though both rookies faced off in the 2026 College Football National Championship Game, there may be more differences than similarities between Mendoza (22) and Beck (24). Most importantly, Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That puts him in line for a ludicrous rookie contract that is planets away from Beck’s $7.4 million deal, as the latter was a third-round selection (65th overall) by the Cardinals.

As reported by Reuters, Mendoza is guaranteed a four-year, $57.2 million contract under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Still, while his earnings are virtually set in stone, he has yet to put pen to paper. The reason for the delay? Mendoza and the Raiders have yet to reach an agreement regarding the signing bonus.

Signing bonus dispute

According to CBS Sports, Mendoza and his camp are seeking a single lump-sum payment, which isn’t ideal from the Raiders’ point of view. The rookie quarterback isn’t interested in receiving smaller installments over time. Per Reuters, Mendoza is set for $38.1 million signing bonus.

For some time now, lump-sum bonuses have become the norm for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL. Joe Burrow was paid the entirety of his signing bonus when he signed his rookie deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, and every No. 1 pick since has followed the same path. The last first overall pick not to receive his signing bonus in a single lump sum was Kyler Murray in 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Raiders are used to paying signing bonuses in smaller installments and might not want to abandon that tradition. However, it’s also been a while since they selected first overall (2007, when they picked JaMarcus Russell). Times have changed, and this is the new norm, even if Raider Nation doesn’t love it.

Time’s running out

Beck and the Cardinals reached an agreement at the buzzer, and perhaps the Raiders will do the same with Mendoza. Arizona’s rookies reported to training camp on July 22, the same day Beck was signed to his rookie contract.

As for Las Vegas’ first-year players, they must report to the team facilities on July 23. Whether Mendoza will be signed by then remains uncertain. One thing is clear: if he doesn’t sign his contract, he can’t participate in training camp. And a rookie quarterback expected to start from Day 1 can’t afford such a start, no matter the college football pedigree he brings to the NFL.

“He was a lot of fun to watch,” Burrow said during a Heisman Trophy panel at Fanatics Fest. “I think the NIL era is interesting because teams like Indiana, who maybe couldn’t get the recruits 10 years ago, now can get the types of players where they can go and compete for championships.”

While the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback believes this type of evolution has helped programs with fewer resources emerge as contenders, he also emphasized that Mendoza’s talent was the key factor in ultimately winning the national championship.

“That creates a lot of parity throughout college football, and I think that’s good for the game,” Burrow also added. “There are a lot of downsides to it as well, but it was fun to see a team like Indiana go and make it happen. Obviously, Fernando was the main part of that.”

Mendoza’s great year at Indiana

During a legendary 2025 season with the Indiana Hoosiers, quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a historic campaign, throwing for 3,850 passing yards and 38 touchdowns to cap off a brilliant year and claim the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect, undefeated record, crowning their flawless season by winning the National Championship in a thrilling 27–21 victory in the final over the Miami Hurricanes.

Burrow’s Heisman experience

In 2019, Joe Burrow delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history while playing for the LSU Tigers, capping off his incredible performance by winning the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote. Shortly after leading LSU to an undefeated National Championship victory, Burrow officially made the jump to the NFL when he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

From College Football to the NFL

There are countless cases in which a player’s rookie year proves to be a defining moment. The leadership Fernando Mendoza brings with him could be crucial for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Burrow knows that this could help him succeed.

“The quarterback has the ball in their hands a lot,” Burrow said. “It’s a team game, but the quarterback drives that for us. He seems to be a great leader. He seems to be a great player, and I’m excited to see what he does in the NFL as well.”

“I don’t really want to talk about that, to be honest. It’s water under the bridge. It’s a long time ago,” Crosby said to the press. “I’m here and I want to be here and I’m excited to be here and I’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s water under the bridge.”

The knee has let the pass rusher down, but he feels fine and is in the final stage of his recovery. “I want to be out there and be part of the team. I just love what I do and I love playing football and I love being on the field.”

Details of the failed move to the Ravens

The proposed blockbuster trade between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens fell apart at the final hurdle after star pass rusher Maxx Crosby failed his medical examination. The blockbuster deal was agreed upon in early March 2026 and set to send the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end to Baltimore in exchange for an unprecedented haul of two first-round draft picks (in the 2026 and 2027 drafts).

However, during the screening process, the Ravens’ medical staff—along with independent specialists—raised serious flags regarding Crosby’s left knee. Specifically, they were uncomfortable with the long-term prognosis of his recovery from a meniscus repair surgery he underwent in January 2026 to fix a tear suffered during the previous season, as well as potential underlying wear-and-tear issues.

Unwilling to compromise their future draft capital on a long-term medical risk, Baltimore nixed the trade before the official start of the league year, sending Crosby back to the Raiders and pivoting instead to sign Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

Crosby prepares for what’s ahead

The Las Vegas Raiders are entering an exciting new era under newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak, who has completely reshaped the team’s offensive identity for the 2026 season.

The front office made massive waves by signing 15-year veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a one-year, $20 million contract in free agency, before pairing him with rookie sensation and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

This revamped setup has already generated immense optimism within the building, particularly from franchise cornerstone Maxx Crosby, who gave his stamp of approval to the leadership change. “We have an extremely smart and great leader of men in Klint Kubiak,” Crosby said.

“Unlike the Patriots and the other teams on this list, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t expected to be chasing the postseason in 2026,” Bleacher Report‘s insider wrote. “However, trading for Brown would still be logical for a couple of reasons.

“For one, Las Vegas will spend the next few seasons developing rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While the Raiders have put some nice pieces in place for Mendoza, including Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tyler Linderbaum, they lack a No. 1 receiver.”

There is significant excitement in Las Vegas surrounding Mendoza and the vision of him becoming the franchise quarterback. Brown’s experience could provide the young QB with a lethal weapon, although his future destination remains uncertain for now.

How much could Brown help Fernando Mendoza?

The potential addition of AJ Brown would be a monumental boost for Fernando Mendoza’s transition and long-term development in the NFL. Coming off a spectacular 2025 college season where he dominated the national stage with 3,535 passing yards, a stunning 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, Mendoza has proven he possesses the elite accuracy and decision-making required for the next level.

However, the Raiders’ current wide receiver room severely lacks proven star power and extensive starting experience, leaning heavily on young targets like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. Aside from the reliable presence of tight end Brock Bowers, this receiving corps desperately needs a true, battle-tested alpha target who can consistently beat press coverage and command double teams.

Integrating an elite, physical wideout like AJ Brown would completely transform the offense, providing Mendoza with a premier safety valve on contested catches and a game-breaking deep threat to perfectly complement his collegiate efficiency.

Raiders’ 2026 receiving corps

Even with uncertainty surrounding who will be the QB1 starting in Week 1, Klint Kubiak currently has both Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as his two primary signal-callers. Through the air, these are the names they will have at their disposal heading into the 2026 season to challenge opposing defenses.

A new era is about to start in Las Vegas. Klint Kubiaks has taken over as head coach, analyzing his new players and even giving intriguing adjectives to some of them as he did with tiught end Brock Bowers.

Now, Kubiak has shifted the focus towards the ground attack. The head coach believes Ashton Jeanty can shine more under his guidance, warning him that a heavier workload is expected for him in 2026.

“We want to put a lot of pressure on Ashton,” Kubiak said, via the team’s official site. “The next guy that steps up, whoever that may be, that’s going to be seen here in practice, OTAs and training camp, but we think we should continue to challenge Ashton and get more out of him.”

The Raiders must protect Ashton Jeanty

In past years, the running back position has struggled to be regarded as a crucial one. Several players have struggled to secure elite contracts, but fortunately things have changed recently.

According to rumors, many NFL coaches saw running backs as dispensable, with only a few being completly elite. Ashton Jeanty can be one of those premier RBs, but the Raiders need to protect him.

Las Vegas doesn’t have a great offensive line, causing Jeanty to not being able to shine as expected. While Kubiak has made some changes to the unit upon his arrival, it remains uncertain how efective can it be to open spaces for Jeanty to damage rival defenses.

With Kubiak preparing to use Ashton Jeanty in more ways, it is clear that the former Boise State standout could improve his stats in 2026. Nevertheless, the Raiders must not squezze him out in order to avoid him having a short career as many other running backs whose talents faded away due to an intense workload and no help at all.

Who sits behind Ashton Jeandy?

Mike Washington Jr. is projected as the primary RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. Head coach Klint Kubiak views the rookie as a highly capable backup, though Jeanty remains the undisputed workhorse who will command the lion’s share of the carries in the offensive game plan.

“It’s important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we’ve got to get them on the field as much as we can. I don’t know the play-snap percentage, but you look at [49ers running back] Christian McCaffrey, his play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.”

Kubiak has officially taken over as the head coach of the Raiders. While he has plenty of work ahead of him in Las Vegas, he inherits a talented offensive foundation that should help ease his transition during his debut season.

With rookie Fernando Mendoza already mastering Klint Kubiak’s playbook and expected to compete for the QB1 spot, maximizing every available weapon will be crucial for the team’s success. The former Indiana standout is expected to rely heavily on Bowers, and Kubiak couldn’t be happier to have an elite tight end ready to support his young quarterback.

“He’s kind of a football robot, in a good way,” Klint Kubiak said of Bowers on Wednesday. “He’s a football robot from heaven. He’s a Cadillac out there. We’ve got to get the most out of Brock. Wherever he goes, he’s been successful in college and high school. Whoever has coached him, so I can’t say enough great things about him, love his work ethic. He’s a standard bearer.”

Brock Bowers will be key for Fernando Mendoza’s growth

For many rookie quarterbacks, the presence of a reliable tight end is essential to their development. Offensive game plans often shield young signal-callers from taking unnecessary downfield risks early on, making a dependable safety valve over the middle absolutely crucial.

Bowers is an outstanding tight end, and Mendoza will undoubtedly look his way to jumpstart the offense. While it remains uncertain if the rookie will secure the starting job for Week 1, the offseason program provides a vital opportunity for the two to build strong chemistry.

In just two years, Bowers has firmly established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL. Despite a 2025 campaign that was slightly hampered by injuries, he has already racked up 1,874 yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 games—production that proves the future is incredibly bright for this Raiders offense.

The Raiders face a very tough division

Even though the Chiefs weren’t at their absolute peak in 2025, they remain incredibly dangerous as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are leading the team. Meanwhile, the Broncos enter the year looking like the top threat in the AFC West, competing head-to-head with the Chargers for the crown.

The Raiders enter the 2026 campaign as the underdogs to win the AFC West. Nevertheless, the arrival of Kubiak—fresh off winning Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks—combined with the high upside of Mendoza has many believing that a new era is successfully underway in Las Vegas.

“Yeah, he’s a professional. He’s played a lot of football. He’s a leader that we’re counting on right now,” the head coach told reporters on Wednesday. “You see that side of him when it gets competitive, that was fun to get that move the ball period and get guys off of scripts and see how they respond, and you see the fire come out, and that’s what I want from our guys.”

Klint Kubiak knows Kirk Cousins firsthand, and understands that his experience in the league could not only help the Las Vegas Raiders achieve strong results, but also help refine a young talent like Fernando Mendoza with an eye toward the future.

Kubiak and Cousins already know each other from Minnesota

When Kubiak took over the reins as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he and Kirk Cousins picked up right where the previous scheme left off, keeping that offense running like a well-oiled machine. Having already spent two years as the quarterback coach, he had a great connection with Captain Kirk, and it showed on the field.

Under his play-calling, Cousins put up some highly efficient numbers in that play-action-heavy system, throwing for over 4,200 yards, 33 touchdowns, and protecting the ball with just 7 interceptions. It was a smooth, high-execution partnership that not only kept the quarterback playing at an elite level but also helped fuel a massive 1,600-yard season for Justin Jefferson.

Fernando Mendoza awaits his moment

Even with a veteran like Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Raiders didn’t draft Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall just to let him sit on the bench forever. He is seen as the undisputed centerpiece of Las Vegas’ long-term future.

Coming off a historic, undefeated 16-0 season with the Indiana Hoosiers where he absolutely lit up college football—putting up a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions alongside a Heisman Trophy—Mendoza has the elite pedigree of a true franchise quarterback.

For many scouts, Fernando Mendoza is a generational talent—not only because of his physical football skills, but also due to his exceptional reasoning and the way he studies the sport off the field.

The Raiders are already witnessing this intellectual approach firsthand. According to offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, Mendoza does not just want to learn how to execute certain plays; he also wants to understand the “why” behind them to fully master the system.

“He’s somebody that wants to know the whys of everything, the story behind everything,” Andrew Janocko said of Mendoza, via the team’s official website. “What we’re calling, but why are we calling it?

“He’s really just a sponge that wants to know everything. So it’s a lot of fun working with a quarterback like that because he’s coming in as a blank slate in this offense — never been in this offense before — and just asking a ton of questions.”

Fernando Mendoza is special, but the Raiders need to help him

The Raiders, who are one of five teams without a primetime game in 2026, have struggled to find a definitive replacement for Derek Carr. Fernando Mendoza might be the answer, but the club definitely needs to surround him with a strong supporting cast to let his talent shine.

As of today, the Raiders have a decent offensive foundation for Mendoza to work with. He has an outstanding tight end in Brock Bowers and a solid running back in Ashton Jeanty, but the wide receiver corps could definitely use an upgrade.

Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailer are currently the primary wide receivers on the roster. While it seems like an elite, top-tier target is missing from this group, Mendoza’s natural talent could help both wideouts break out and shine despite not being regarded as premier weapons.

Can Fernando Mendoza start over Kirk Cousins in Week 1?

As of today, Kirk Cousins is listed as QB1 on the Raiders’ early depth charts. His veteran experience leads many to believe he will start in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, yet Mendoza is already making a strong push to win the quarterback race.

According to reports, if Mendoza puts together a solid rookie minicamp and shines in offseason workouts, he could realistically start over Cousins in Week 1. However, the Raiders might also choose to go with the veteran to open the season, allowing the rookie to learn from the sidelines for a few weeks before ultimately taking control of the offense.

Joining the Jets in this primetime drought are the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders, two teams currently navigating through periods of transition. Both organizations will play the entirety of their 2026 campaigns in the standard afternoon windows, as broadcast partners opted for matchups featuring teams with higher projected win totals.

The Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins round out the list of the five teams that received zero primetime games this year. For the Dolphins, this exclusion is particularly shocking given their recent offensive explosiveness, but it reflects a league-wide focus on the most consistent contenders as the NFL prioritizes maximum viewership for its most exclusive television windows.

What zero primetime games mean for playoff chances

Not having any primetime games often implies that national analysts have low expectations for a team’s success during the upcoming season. However, this lack of spotlight can occasionally benefit a roster by allowing them to maintain a consistent routine and fly under the radar without the added pressure.

Teams without Primetime games:

• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Arizona Cardinals
• Miami Dolphins

For teams like the Cardinals and Titans, the absence of night games means fewer distractions and more 1:00 p.m. starts, which can help a young team build rhythm and momentum. While they won’t be seen by a national audience, their path to the playoffs remains dictated by their performance on the field rather than their television schedule.

Ultimately, being left out of the primetime conversation serves as a clear motivational tool for players and coaches who feel overlooked by the league’s scheduling committee. If the Dolphins or Raiders can turn their season into a winning campaign early on, they could still find themselves “flexed” into a night game later in the year.

Earlier this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to send Maxx Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. The move ultimately fell through after Crosby failed his physical due to concerns regarding a meniscus repair, a twist of fate that directly impacted the Buccaneers.

Jason Licht, general manager of the Bucs, revealed that the failed trade was a “blessing in disguise.” Had the trade been finalized, the Raiders would have held the No. 14 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—one spot ahead of Tampa Bay. Licht believes the Raiders would have likely selected Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., whom the Buccaneers ultimately secured at No. 15.

“Then I think going back to free agency when, you know, the Raiders-Ravens trade didn’t work out, I think that in some way I’d like to think helped us a little bit. I was a little afraid if the Raiders made that trade, Spytek, he and I are very close, he was taunting me a little bit, hey, we’re sitting right in front of you, I know what you need,” Licht said “And then, you know, Crosby goes back to the Raiders, then the Ravens are sitting there again with their pick, and I know they love their edge rushers, too, so that had me nervous.”

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding Rueben Bain Jr.

Prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, Rueben Bain Jr. was regarded as a top-10 prospect. However, concerns over his arm length (measured at 30 7/8″) caused him to slide down the board to the 15th overall pick.

Scouts describe Bain Jr. as an explosive, NFL-ready edge rusher. Nevertheless, critics believe his lack of length might hinder his ability to disengage from veteran offensive linemen at the professional level.

Bain Jr. famously dismissed these concerns by comparing himself to Mike Tyson, noting that while Tyson wasn’t the longest fighter, “when you felt him, you felt him.” Now, he must prove scouts wrong on the field and show the teams that passed on him that they made a significant mistake.

Will Maxx Crosby be traded?

With the Ravens backing out of the deal, Crosby remains with the Raiders for the 2026 season. While he had reportedly envisioned a future outside of Las Vegas, those plans are now on hold.

Crosby remains an elite pass rusher, but he must deliver an outstanding 2026 campaign. Given the injury concerns raised by Baltimore, he needs a healthy season to prove his long-term value, or his time in Las Vegas may truly be reaching its end.

At Indiana, Mendoza worked plenty at the shotgun formation, so he is focusing on taking reps under center. “I think it’s going to be that repetition under center, getting those quicker feet, and just you can always be faster and more efficient in your reads and decisiveness,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza has been highly praised by his work ethic and being a tape nerd. Listening to him proves that. He is eager to get better and he wants to do it fast. Mendoza is a winner, and he will do whatever it takes to get the results the Raiders want.

Mendoza isn’t the only one adjusting to play under center

The Raiders picked offensive lineman Trey Zuhn in the third-round, and he’s been snapping for Mendoza during the minicamp. Zuhn played for Texas A&M during his college days. While he’s not scheduled to be the starting center (that would be Tyler Linderbaum), it’s great for him to get some reps there as well.

“We didn’t do very much under center at A&M, either, so it’s been great getting those extra reps,” Zuhn said. It seems that, after years of cultural mess within the Raiders confines, now it’s time to get to work and get things right.

The Raiders have a mountain to climb ahead of them

Unfortunately for Mendoza and the Raiders, it won’t be easy to turn their fortunes around. The fact is that they compete in the AFC West, arguably the toughest division in the NFL.

The Raiders have to battle against the 2020s dynasty in the Chiefs, the AFC runner-ups in the Broncos, and a perennial contender like the Los Angeles Chargers. Hence, it’s a big task to turn things around in just one season. Still, that’s what the Raiders are aiming for.