Fernando Mendoza’s name continues to be linked to the Las Vegas Raiders as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While most of the attention at the NFL Scouting Combine centered on his résumé and potential fit in Las Vegas, the Indiana quarterback revealed that one draft interview moment caught him off guard.
Fernando Mendoza Details ‘Most Bizarre’ Draft Interview Question
During a sit-down interview with NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala, Mendoza was asked to share the most bizarre question he has received from teams throughout the pre-draft process. His answer is turning heads.
“It was: ‘Hey, maybe you should get arrested,’” Mendoza said. “I was a little confused. But then it was like to slide.”
Mendoza explained that the comment was not a serious suggestion, but rather a tongue-in-cheek remark about draft positioning. The implication, he said, was that getting into trouble might cause him to slide down the board, potentially giving another team a chance to select him later in the first round.
He declined to identify the team responsible for the question and noted that he did not have a formal interview with that organization at the combine. Jokes have spread about which team could have said this.
The most bizarre question that Fernando Mendoza has been asked during his draft interviews
“It was: ‘Hey, maybe you should get arrested.’ I was a little confused, but then it was like to slide.”
🎤: @AKinkhabwala pic.twitter.com/33RaeHkaPT
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 27, 2026
The exchange underscores how wide-ranging and unconventional combine interviews can be. Teams often probe prospects with unexpected prompts to gauge composure and personality. For a quarterback widely viewed as the top pick, even hypothetical scenarios can become part of the evaluation.
On paper, several teams selecting near the top of the draft could use a quarterback, but league consensus continues to point toward Las Vegas at No. 1 overall. The Raiders’ connection to Mendoza has only strengthened in recent weeks, especially with Tom Brady now part of the franchise’s ownership group.
Mendoza recently described a brief phone interaction with Brady during a formal interview session with the Raiders as “very special,” adding that the opportunity to learn from the seven-time Super Bowl champion would be meaningful.
The spotlight remains bright because of what Mendoza accomplished this season. After transferring from Cal, he led Indiana to a 16-0 season, a Big Ten championship, and a national title. He completed 273 of 379 passes, a 72.0 percent clip, for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He added 276 rushing yards and 7 scores while earning a 93.3 PFSN CFB QB Impact grade.
Despite that production, evaluators have continued to dissect his game, with some questioning how aspects of Indiana’s system translate to the NFL. Others have praised his timing and decision-making.
As draft night approaches, Mendoza’s path to April 23 appears increasingly clear. The unusual interview question may have been delivered in jest, but it offered a glimpse into the unique and sometimes strange environment prospects navigate before hearing their names called.
