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2026 NFL, American Football Herren, USA DRAFT PREVIEW: FILE PHOTOS APR 19 FILE PHOTOS former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback 15 Fernando Mendoza who is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, here he is pictured on January 20, 2026 versus the Miami Hurricanes, in the 2026 National Championship, the NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23-25, 2026. Mandatory Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org Absolute Complete photographer, and credits required FILE PHOTOS former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback 15 Fernando Mendoza who is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, here he is pictured on January 20, 2026 versus the Miami Hurricanes, in the 2026 National Championship, the NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23-25, 2026. Mandatory Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org Absolute Complete photographer, and credits required Pittsburgh Acrisure Stadium PA United States of America Copyright: xJosex/xMarinMedia.orgx/xIMAGOx
Apr 25, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT
Fernando Mendoza Shoots Past Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James in Major Achievement
It has only been one day since Fernando Mendoza switched his LinkedIn status from Open to Work to Not open to work. After the Las Vegas Raiders selected him as their No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Mendoza has now moved past legends beyond the gridiron.
The silver and black quarterback already has an achievement while not having played a single snap in the National Football League. As per TMZ, the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback jersey sales have gone through the roof.
Mendoza’s jersey sales are not only the top among the rookies or the wider NFL but in all of American sports. The rookie quarterback saw his jersey sales beat the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Baseball’s finest Shohei Ohtani, and the GOAT of basketball, LeBron James.
This was a welcome gift to his franchise, as the Las Vegas Raiders were the top-selling franchise, beating the other 31 NFL teams due to a surge in Mendoza jerseys.
The sales saw a rise after fans wanted to celebrate the Raiders' draft move, welcoming the National Champion. After all, Mendoza has now joined an elite group of quarterbacks who have won the Heisman, a national championship, and been taken first overall.
He is the fourth quarterback joining Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, and Joe Burrow.
After jerseys, the next sought-after item from Mendoza will be his trading card from Topps.
The trading card has a picture of Mendoza making the No.1 pose and has his autograph on the card as well. He also inscribed it, writing, “My 1st NFL Auto.”
For Mendoza and his family, it has been a whirlwind of a year and the past couple of weeks. The Indiana quarterback did not attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, as he was with his family in Miami.
Mendoza sacrificed for his mother, Elsa, who has been fighting Multiple sclerosis (MS). Since she could not travel, the quarterback wanted to spend the special moment with her.
With his popularity rising, Mendoza made another record.
Fernando Mendoza Is the Quarterback With the Most Expensive Rookie Deal
After having just a $2.6 million NIL evaluation in college, Mendoza is now set to hit the $50 million mark once he enters the NFL, and he is the first rookie to do so.
As per Front Office Sports, the Heisman Trophy winner is set to make $54.5 million across his four-year rookie deal. Mendoza’s deal includes a a $34.4 million signing bonus and a $13.6 million average annual value, according to Spotrac.
This sees him beat the Tennessee Titans' 2025 No.1 pick, Cam Ward. In his rookie season, he made $48.7 million.
At the same time, the 2024 season Heisman winner and the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 season No.2 pick, Travis Hunter, received a $46.65 million contract.
The Raiders may not plan to start a rookie quarterback. But that has not stopped Fernando Mendoza from becoming a fan favorite, with fans already rushing to grab his jersey.
Read more at Michigan Football Community.
