NFL Legend Michael Irvin Calls Out Fernando Mendoza For “Bad” $39-Million Decision

Michael Irvin couldn’t believe what Mendoza turned down.

Fernando Mendoza will forever be remembered for his 2025 campaign, where he led the Hoosiers to glory. In Curt Cignetti’s second season, Mendoza captured the Heisman Trophy and propelled the Hoosiers to a flawless 16-0 campaign. They sealed the deal with a 27-21 triumph over the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship.

The Miami Hurricanes fell short in their home region inside Hard Rock Stadium. Notable celebrities, superfans, and alumni of both colleges attended the game. Michael Irvin was on one of them. His belt antics made across the internet after the Hurricanes’ victories.

Mark Cuban’s Pitch Offer To Fernando Mendoza Had Michael Irvin Confused

Fernando Mendoza during a press conference.Fernando Mendoza. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As Mendoza prepares to enter the draft, rumors suggest he seriously considered returning to school for one more year. Hoosiers grad and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban certainly wanted to see it. The billionaire reportedly increased his support when he offered $39 million to keep Mendoza with the Hoosiers next season.

As we saw with his decision to go to the NFL, Fernando Mendoza clearly turned it down. Reacting to reports of this offer, Michael Irvin described it as “mind-blowing in a lot of ways.”

Irvin emphasized that, unlike other offers, this would truly “move the number.”

Mendoza’s LinkedIn profile shows his updated picture and states, “Open to work.”

“The young man can make up his own mind, it’s on him, and of course it’s his own life,” Irvin said. “But Mendoza, if Mark Cuban is offering $39 million and Mendoza decides to go to the NFL… in the NFL, we would call that… that’s a bad move, man.”

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Irvin further weighed in that rejecting Cuban’s offer could be viewed as a “selfish” move. “Because the reality is everybody is we’re understanding we’re competing against one another, but we’re also competing for one another,” Irvin explained.

Mendoza finished the 2025 campaign by throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. He is expected to be selected by the Raiders.