Fernando Mendoza has finally signed a professional contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. According to ESPN, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft signed a four-year, $57.27 million fully guaranteed deal on Thursday. There is a fifth-year option.
With that in mind, let's look at the five highest-paid rookie quarterback contracts in the NFL's history.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first pick of the 2026 NFL draft. Mendoza was fresh off winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an unbeaten college football championship-winning season.
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Mendoza has now put pen to paper on the most lucrative rookie contract in the post 2011 collective bargaining agreement era. He'll now look to guide the Raiders back to the playoffs following a multi-season drought.
The Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell with the first pick of the 2007 draft. Russell was fresh off an impressive collegiate career with the LSU Tigers.
Russell famously held out through training camp and into the first week of his rookie season before signing his first contract in the league. He would put pen to paper on a six-year contract worth up to $68 million, with $31.5 million guaranteed.
However, that turned out to be the last contract he'd sign in the NFL. Russell would go on to play just 31 games before he was released.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Matt Ryan with the third pick of the 2008 NFL draft. Ryan excelled at Boston College, and the Falcons selected him believing that they'd found their long-term starting signal-caller.
Ryan wasted no time in signing a six-year, $72 million contract which included $34.75 million in guarantees. He would repay the Falcons' faith by taking home NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Ryan would go on to become one of the better quarterbacks of his era. His career highlights include winning the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player Award, guiding the Falcons to Super Bowl LI and earning four Pro Bowl selections.
The Detroit Lions selected Matthew Stafford as the first pick of the 2009 draft. Stafford was fresh off an impeccable collegiate football career with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Stafford signed a then-record rookie contract valued at $72 million with $41.7 million guaranteed. He would go on to enjoy a decent 12 seasons as the Lions' starting quarterback.
However, it was after the Lions traded Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams that his career peaked. He won a Super Bowl in Los Angeles while later taking home the 2025 MVP Award. He's gearing up for his 18th season in the league.
The St. Louis Rams selected Sam Bradford with the first pick of the 2010 draft. The Rams selected him due to an impressive collegiate career with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Bradford signed a six-year, $78 million deal in July. He would go on to have a decent but unspectacular professional football career.
Bradford spent five seasons with the Rams. One with the Philadelphia Eagles, two with the Minnesota Vikings, and one with the Arizona Cardinals. He called it a career after the 2018 season.
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