Pittsburgh is anticipating 500,000-700,000 visitors to flock to the city for the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins in just over two weeks on April 23. But Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza won’t be among them. Mendoza, the expected No. 1 overall selection, will stay with his family in Miami instead of attending the draft, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami. pic.twitter.com/ApUc7UmIDX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 7, 2026
It’s not often that the projected No. 1 overall pick doesn’t attend the draft, but it’s not unheard of. Baker Mayfield didn’t attend the 2018 NFL Draft, Trevor Lawrence didn’t attend the 2021 NFL Draft, and Travon Walker didn’t attend the 2022 NFL Draft. Mendoza will have a chance to celebrate and spend more time with his family.
One likely factor for Mendoza staying in Miami for the draft is his mother. Elsa Mendoza has battled multiple sclerosis for almost two decades, and in recent years the effects of the degenerative disease have made it difficult for her to travel.
The NFL has yet to release the list of prospects invited to the draft, but Mendoza was a no-brainer invite given where he’s projected to be drafted. This year’s draft is big for the city of Pittsburgh to garner national attention during one of the premier events of the NFL offseason, one that’s grown in stature over the years. While Mendoza won’t be attending, the fans in attendance will still see plenty of the draft’s top prospects hear their name called and walk on stage to greet Roger Goodell, who will almost surely be serenaded by a chorus of boos. Especially if James Harrison decides to attend.
There was thought that this year’s draft could be one where the Steelers draft their quarterback of the future in front of the home fans in Pittsburgh. Before the college football season, Mendoza was a hot name linked to the Steelers. But with his success in leading Indiana to an undefeated season and national championship, his stock rose while the rest of the quarterback class faltered. If the Steelers were in a position to take Mendoza, it would be interesting to see if it would change his decision to stay in Miami for the draft, but that isn’t the case.
The Steelers have a number of different paths they can take with their first-round pick, and it will certainly be a cool moment if the player they select is in attendance to get welcomed to the city by the fan base.
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