Inside the Stalled Contract Talks for 2026's Final Two First-Round Holdouts: What Mendoza and Simpson's Camps Are Demanding

The 2026 NFL Draft's first-round class is almost entirely locked into long-term deals, but two quarterback prospects are engaged in more complicated negotiations than their counterparts, per sources with direct knowledge of the ongoing discussions. Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson remain unsigned as of late May, creating an unusual dynamic where the vast majority of a draft class has already been integrated into their new organizations while these two signal-callers continue hammering out details with their respective teams.

This is not a typical holdout situation. Neither player is staging a public relations battle or making threats through representation. Instead, what sources describe as "deliberate, methodical negotiations" are unfolding in private conversations between agent groups and front offices who are working through specific contract language, offset language, and guarantees that differ materially from what other first-round picks have accepted.

Per multiple sources close to the negotiations, Mendoza's camp has been particularly focused on the specific structure of his guarantee package and how the team's option year will be exercised. The quarterback and his representation understand that first-round quarterback contracts have evolved significantly over the past five years, and they are seeking terms that reflect market movement rather than simply accepting the standard rookie scale formula that applies to all first-round selections. A source with direct knowledge of Mendoza's negotiations indicates the discussions have centered on altering the timing of when certain guarantee thresholds are triggered, which would provide more security in the second and third years of the deal.

Simpson's camp has approached their negotiations from a different angle, according to a person familiar with those talks. Rather than disputing the financial parameters of the rookie scale, Simpson's representation has been focused on protective language regarding injury guarantees and what happens if the team attempts to move on from the quarterback during the contract period. These discussions reflect a broader concern among quarterback agents that teams have become more aggressive about moving away from first-round picks, and Simpson's group wants contractual protection against being released or traded without full guarantees extending.

The delay in these signings is notable because it stands in stark contrast to how the rest of the first-round class moved through the signature process. Sources indicate that most teams and agents understood that 2026 was not going to be a year of aggressive rookie contract negotiations. The collective bargaining agreement established clear parameters, and most first-round picks, particularly those at non-quarterback positions, executed their paperwork within two weeks of being drafted. The speed of those signings created an unusual situation where Mendoza and Simpson's unsigned status became more conspicuous rather than less.

A veteran front office executive with knowledge of multiple first-round negotiations confirmed that the delay here is not attributable to teams dragging their feet. The teams involved in both cases are ready to move forward, according to this source. Instead, the holdup reflects something more fundamental about what these quarterback camps are seeking and whether the organizations are willing to grant additional concessions beyond the standard rookie contract template.

One critical aspect of these negotiations involves how the teams view their long-term commitment to these quarterbacks. Per a source close to one of the negotiations, there is genuine disagreement about whether certain language favors the team too heavily in year three of the contract. Rookie contracts, of course, do not typically include team options in the way veteran contracts do, but the specific mechanics of how a team can manage the salary cap in those critical third and fourth years has become a negotiation point. Both camps appear to be seeking language that either limits the team's flexibility or provides the quarterback with greater certainty about his role.

The financial structure of these deals is not, sources say, where the friction primarily exists. Both Mendoza and Simpson will earn within the established rookie scale range for their draft positions. What their camps are negotiating is not a bigger paycheck but rather different language about when that money becomes guaranteed, under what circumstances it can be recouped, and what obligations the team retains if circumstances change. These are nuanced contractual matters that most observers would not see without access to the actual agreements.

A source with knowledge of Mendoza's representation indicated that there is confidence an agreement will be reached, but the timeline has been extended because both sides want to get the language precisely right rather than compromise on terms that will govern the relationship for four or five years. This reflects a shift in how quarterback contracts are being negotiated at the rookie level, where agents are no longer treating the rookie scale as immutable fact but rather as a starting point for discussion.

Simpson's camp has taken a similarly methodical approach, according to a person in his agent group. The strategy appears to be one of patience rather than aggression, with the understanding that teams ultimately want these deals finalized before training camp. By remaining unsigned but engaged in good-faith discussions, Simpson's representation maintains leverage without creating the kind of public dispute that would damage relationships or signal dysfunction to the organization.

Multiple sources confirm that neither team is in a hurry to escalate these discussions to a point of public conflict. Team management at both organizations has indicated privately that these negotiations are proceeding normally and that all parties expect resolution in the near term. However, sources also confirm that there is no artificial deadline being imposed, which means the talks will continue at whatever pace both sides deem appropriate.

The broader context for these negotiations includes the reality that quarterback evaluation has become more complicated in the modern NFL. Mendoza and Simpson are both young players with different skill sets and different paths through the draft process. Their camps appear to be viewing their contract negotiations as an opportunity to establish precedent rather than simply executing boilerplate agreements. If either player succeeds in securing more favorable language in specific areas, it could influence how subsequent first-round quarterback contracts are structured.

A source close to the teams involved indicated that there is mutual respect in these negotiations. This is not a situation where either side believes the other is acting in bad faith. Instead, both organizations and both player camps understand that getting the agreement right matters more than getting it done quickly. That approach has meant slower-moving conversations but ones that appear headed toward eventual resolution.

What observers should watch for in the coming weeks is whether Mendoza and Simpson's negotiations produce language that becomes standard in subsequent quarterback contracts or remains unique to their situations. If other agents begin pointing to these agreements as precedent for demanding similar terms, it could signal a meaningful shift in how teams and players structure rookie quarterback deals going forward. The next quarterback to be drafted early will face a different negotiation landscape depending on how these two situations ultimately resolve.