Raiders' Fernando Mendoza Explains Why He's 'Trying' to Avoid Trips to Las Vegas Strip

After going No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza is trying to focus on his game rather than the ample nightlife Sin City has to offer.

Speaking to Michael Silver of The Athletic, Mendoza noted that while he has visited the Las Vegas Strip, he has mostly steered clear of it.

"I've been there once or twice, but I haven't really experienced the Strip," Mendoza said. "It's like a boogeyman. A lot of people talk about the Strip like, 'You don't want to go there.'

"It's like when you're a kid; you're trick-or-treating, and there's the haunted house. You're not trying to go over there."

Given the wholesome image that Mendoza projects, it comes as little surprise that he isn't committing much time to one of the biggest party destinations in the United States.

Focusing on football served Mendoza well last season after transferring from Cal to Indiana, as he established himself as the best college football player in the nation.

Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and a national championship.

All of that led to the Raiders selecting Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, making him the new face of the franchise.

There is no guarantee that Mendoza will begin the regular season as the starter since he is competing with accomplished veteran Kirk Cousins, but even if he doesn't win the job, this season will be an important one in terms of his development.