Teary-eyed Fernando Mendoza breaks with NFL tradition and collapses into mother’s arms

The first pick is in, and Fernando Mendoza is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s little surprise that the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback will land in Sin City — his arrival has been a lock for months.

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Mendoza, though, didn’t make the walk across the 2026 NFL Draft stage in Pittsburgh to pose with his new jersey like many who came before him, though.

Fernando Mendoza breaks draft tradition

The 22-year-old prospect is instead watching the draft unfold from home, surrounded by his family.

Watching from home is a rare occurance, and one that breaks the usual tradition of top draft picks shaking hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Cameras, of course, are inside the Mendoza household, and captured his reaction to being told he’s the No. 1 overall pick, as he sat on the sofa.

It took less than three minutes for the Raiders to hand their pick to Goodell back in Pittsburgh.

He announced Mendoza’s name on stage in Pittsburgh, which sparked scenes of joy in the QB’s household.

“College was fantastic, and I was so blessed to have that career, and now I step into a great game in the NFL, and I look forward to proving, and earning it, every single day,” Mendoza said, gathering his thoughts moments later.

“What a great organization, a great legacy, there’s so many great teammates I’m looking forward to talking to (at the Raiders).

“Coaches, owners, I’m exstatic.”

“The celebration is on in the Mendoza household,” the NFL Network analysts added.

Mendoza’s arrival in Sin City has been anticipated for months — ever since he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season, and watched the Raiders slump to an NFL-low 3-14 record in 2025.

What can the Raiders expect from Fernando Mendoza?

Even before the season ended, fans in Las Vegas made their feelings clear, with some in Allegiant Stadium holding ‘We Want Mendoza’ signs in Week 18.

Four months on, and they’ve now got their wish.

Mendoza is expected to be a franchise quarterback in Vegas, and the team has already made offseason moves to help his transition to the NFL.

Free agency was good for the Raiders, and the presumed No. 1 overall pick was said to be learning new head coach Klint Kubiak’s playbook before his name was called.

Mendoza is expected to bring the struggling franchise to life, and has been touted for big things.

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NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein outlined exactly what Vegas fans can expect in his pre-draft profile, which reads: “Mendoza is a precision-based pocket passer whose game is built on rare accuracy and steady command in high-leverage moments.

“He lacks improvisational talent but proved to be a maestro playing the notes on the page with excellent rhythm and few mistakes as the season wore on.

“Mechanically sound and intensely accurate, Mendoza is fearless in attacking pre- and post-snap reads. He can feather throws into deep windows or between levels.

“He consistently hits moving targets in stride on digs, slants, outs and crossers. However, he needs plays to stay on schedule as his arm talent and velocity are fairly average.

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“Third-and-long and red-zone execution stand out. Mendoza is big and tough but moves around the pocket with heavy shoes and limited escapability, which could invite excessive hits on Sundays.

“He can make life easier on his receivers and his play-caller, but above-average pass protection feels like a non-negotiable.

“He’s still young with football to learn and adversity to face, but his character, competitiveness and rapid ascension make it easier to project he will be a very good starter within his first three seasons.”

Get ready, Raiders fans, because Mendoza has finally arrived.

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