Peyton Manning Was Asked To Help Fernando Mendoza Change His Mind

Believe it or not, Peyton Manning was asked to reach out to Fernando Mendoza prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. He was outstanding for Indiana during the 2025 season, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Despite being the most popular prospect in the 2026 class, Mendoza turned down the opportunity to attend the draft in Pittsburgh. The Heisman Trophy winner will instead have a party at home in South Florida with his loved ones.

"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night. It will be a dream for a lot of guys. However, 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. And having to hop on a plane the next morning anyway, for that travel, it'd be a lot easier to stay at home," Mendoza told Rich Eisen, via Pro Football Talk.

"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey - mentors, coaches, family, friends. Being able to share that moment with all of them is going to be the best memory I can make, rather than limiting it to 10-12 people in Pittsburgh, which is going to be great."

Manning said the NFL reached out to him to "maybe encourage" Mendoza to change his plans for the draft.

"That would be fine [for Mendoza to spend time with his family], but it is special to be there [at the draft]," Manning said, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

Who will be there in Pittsburgh?

Mendoza won't attend the NFL Draft, but Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State star Arvell Reese will be in Pittsburgh.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Miami pass rusher Reuben Bain Jr. and USC wide receiver Makai Lemon are also among the 16 prospects attending the first round of the draft.

The NFL Draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:01 AM.