Why Fernando Mendoza is staying home for the 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It's very rare to not see the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in attendance, but that is the case with Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.Mendoza going to the Raiders is the worst-kept secret in the NFL. Everyone on planet Earth knows the Raiders will take Mendoza, and for multiple reasons.Not only is Mendoza far and away the best quarterback in this year's draft, the Raiders have also been a black hole for the position for years now.But when Mendoza's name is officially called, he won't be going up to the stage to get his cap and jersey and pose for a photo op with Roger Goodell.Instead, he'll be watching his name called from home.Why Fernando Mendoza isn't attending NFL DraftIt has been known for weeks now that Mendoza wouldn't be in attendance and the answer why is very simple: Mendoza wanted to celebrate his big night with his family."Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and great venue, and I'm really excited to see all the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night," Mendoza said this week.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It's a lot easier for us. Especially with the family situation."Mendoza revealed that after his night of celebrating the biggest moment of his football career, he'll be hopping on a plan to Sin City."I'm going to hop on a plane (in) the morning anyways. For that, it will be a lot easier to stay at home," Mendoza said.None of this matters at all.The Raiders wouldn't care if Mendoza hopped on a rocket ship and flew to Mars to watch himself get picked as long as he fulfills the promise he showed during his days in Indiana.