Peyton Manning Asked by NFL to 'Encourage' Fernando Mendoza to Attend Draft Amid Raiders Rumors

The NFL used legendary quarterback Peyton Manning as an intermediary in its efforts to get Indiana's Fernando Mendoza to attend the 2026 draft.

Manning told reporters Wednesday that the league "kinda reached out to me" about the Heisman Trophy winner.

"I reached out to Mendoza to maybe encourage him to go to the draft," he said. "I know he's staying home with his family, which will be fine. But it is special to be there."

Manning added he pitched to Mendoza that he can be in the green room for the draft while also taking some time to be with loved ones to celebrate the achievement.

Mendoza is the presumptive No. 1 pick.

"This pairing might as well have been written down in ink weeks ago, if not longer," Brent Sobleski wrote in Bleacher Report's final mock draft. "The Las Vegas Raiders have an obvious decision to make, which will end with getting their new franchise quarterback in Indiana's Fernando Mendoza."

The Hoosiers star nonetheless decided against making the trip to Pittsburgh. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he prefers a more private setting to take in the event.

It's not an unprecedented situation. Most recently, Travon Walker wasn't there to walk onto the stage when the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him first overall in 2022.

Still, it will feel a bit odd when commissioner Roger Goodell calls Mendoza's name and he isn't present and holding up a Raiders jersey.