Fernando Mendoza Is Skipping Attending the NFL Draft to Be with His Family

NEED TO KNOW

• Fernando Mendoza won't be in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft
• The presumptive No. 1 pick will stay home with family and friends in Miami when his name is called later this month, according to multiple reports
• Mendoza previously shared with PEOPLE his feelings about the importance of family

Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 pick of the upcoming NFL Draft, won’t be in Pittsburgh when his name is called, according to multiple reports.

The Heisman Trophy winner, 22, will watch the draft unfold from his home in Miami, alongside his family and friends, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and The Athletic report on Tuesday, April 7.

Mendoza is projected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders, who have the first pick in the draft when it kicks off on April 23. 

The former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback will become the first No. 1 pick not to attend the draft since Travon Walker did so when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in 2022. His now-quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, also stayed home the previous year when his name was called.

Mendoza has been vocal about how important his family is to him, from his friendly rivalry with brother Alberto Mendoza, who was his backup at Indiana, to the bond he shares with his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis.

In an interview with PEOPLE in December 2025, the signal-caller shared how his mom has impacted his life, and game.

“It's that unwavering optimism that she gives me that really helps me go through my day,” Mendoza, who works with the National MS Society on behalf of his mom, said. “And she's so special to me. And to see her is such an inspiration to me. I'm so lucky to have someone like that in my life.” 

As for Alberto, the future NFL star said he can’t wait to look back and savor the memories the two made during their undefeated year in which they won the College Football Playoffs national championship.

“We're gonna be able to talk about when we're both 60 years old in the rocking chair,” he told PEOPLE, about when their playing days are behind them. “It's gonna be super, it's gonna be great. All this amazing stuff that is happening to us and our team. It's gonna be crazy to talk about 'em later. Some good stories in the future.”

Presently, it is unclear how many other top draft picks will opt to stay home. But increasingly, athletes decide to do so due to logistics, the pull of family and other reasons.

From 2010-2019, an average of 24 players attended the event’s green room — where draftees relax and hang out before their name is called.

Last year when the draft was held in Green Bay, Wis. 17 prospects attended, per The Athletic.

Read the original article on People