Las Vegas Raiders finally do what the entire league has been waiting on, and the timing is perfect as training camp is set to start soon
The Las Vegas Raiders have finally signed all of their rookies after signing Jermod McCoy to his rookie contract on July 22 and Fernando Mendoza the next day.
The Las Vegas Raiders finally did what the entire league was waiting and watching for them to do. On Wednesday, they signed fourth-round cornerback Jermod McCoy to his rookie contract. On Thursday, they followed that up with more breaking news. They signed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to his rookie contract.
It’s a four-year, $57.27 million fully guaranteed contract with a fifth-year option. The wait was not on what the money would be or if it would be guaranteed. All of that was already set in stone. It feels like, based on everything we have heard, the wait was because the two sides had trouble agreeing on the details of the signing bonus. The wait was because of whether Mendoza would get a lump sum at signing or in installments, things of that nature.
Those types of things happen more often than you think. The important thing is, they got his contract done before training camp. Now, the focus can be on nothing but camp, no other extra things to worry about. The Raiders have their franchise guy signed, and now it’s only a matter of time before we see him on the field as the starter.
Fernando Mendoza set to get some first-team reps at training camp
Mendoza isn’t expected to start immediately—a fact that’s been clear for some time. Kirk Cousins appears set to open the season as the starting quarterback, which makes sense if he outperforms the rookie. Throwing Mendoza into the fire right away isn’t ideal.
Although he’s been taking third-string reps, it’s evident he won’t remain in that role for long. OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp have seen him at the bottom of the totem pole. But that could start to change rather quickly. According to NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Mendoza will receive a “sprinkle” of first-team reps during training camp. Rookies report July 23, so he will be getting to work immediately. The deal is done, though, and it’s about time.