First overall pick Fernando Mendoza signs guaranteed deal with Raiders, who seem to be an 'arrow up' NFL club

The Fernando Mendoza era is officially underway for the Las Vegas Raiders because he just signed a contract worth $57.27 million — every cent of it guaranteed.We knew Mendoza would eventually get to signing his four-year deal that will include a fifth-year option.

It was a matter of time because, well, all NFL rookies generally sign their slotted deals, and the No. 1 overall selection of the 2026 draft would be no different.But this signing hits different because it means an NFL legacy franchise that has suffered a desert experience in recent years after having a self-described "Commitment to Excellence" in previous decades offers renewed hope.

TOM BRADY SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA: EARN YOUR OPPORTUNITY"I'm excited to get this thing signed," Mendoza said in a video released by the team. "Excited to be a part of the Silver and Black. Can't wait.

Appreciate you guys all support. Let's get this thing rolling."So, what will "rolling" look like for Mendoza?

It will look like he's a rookie trying to earn his role.He will not be handed the starting quarterback job. That currently belongs to veteran Kirk Cousins.

The 14-year veteran signed a one-year deal with the Raiders this offseason to serve as a sort of bridge starting quarterback while Mendoza learns the offense, learns the speed of the game, learns how to be a professional, and earns the starting job.The starting job will not be handed to Mendoza, per a Raiders source. The club is not in a huge hurry to get him in the lineup.

But the club is neither dismissing the possibility that Mendoza will come as advertised – which means he learns quickly, makes good decisions, isn't overmatched, and leads.When Mendoza, who is expected to get some but not a majority of the starting repetitions in training camp practices, shows he's a better option than Cousins, then he'll get the starting job.(This won't be decided in a vacuum.

Once the regular season begins, the Raiders will obviously evaluate Cousins we