Pro Bowler Pokes Fun at Light Green Room Turnout for 2026 NFL Draft

Cameron Jordan wonders if 'nobody wanna go to draft day in Pittsburgh' as list of attendees appears smaller than usual.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:22am

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A fragmented, cubist-style illustration depicting the silhouette of a football player, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of dark grey, green, and orange, conveying the shifting dynamics of the NFL Draft green room.The evolving green room experience at the NFL Draft reflects changing preferences among top prospects.New Orleans Today

Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan took a friendly jab at Pittsburgh Steelers star Cam Heyward regarding the seemingly light list of green room attendees for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Jordan questioned whether 'nobody wanna go to draft day in Pittsburgh,' as only 16 prospects are set to attend the event, down from 17 last year and 13 in 2024.

Why it matters

The green room is a highly anticipated part of the NFL Draft, with the excitement and anguish of top prospects on full display as they await their names to be called. Jordan's comments highlight how the turnout for this year's event in Pittsburgh appears lower than in recent years, potentially indicating a shift in how some players choose to experience one of the biggest nights of their careers.

The details

While 16 prospects will be in attendance, including five former Ohio State players, some projected first-round selections, such as Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, have opted to stay home with family and friends instead of being in the green room. This trend gained steam during the COVID-19 pandemic when the NFL transitioned to a hybrid setup for the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh.
  • Last year's green room had 15 attendees, while the 2024 event in Detroit had 13.

The players

Cameron Jordan

An eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end who has spent his entire career with the New Orleans Saints. Jordan is the Saints' all-time sacks leader and has 132 career sacks, the 17th-most in NFL history.

Cam Heyward

A defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers who has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times. Heyward and Jordan were selected seven picks apart in the 2011 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Does that seem light? '@CamHeyward, nobody wanna go to draft day in Pittsburgh?'”

— Cameron Jordan, Pro Bowl Defensive End

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh will be closely watched to see if the green room turnout increases compared to this year's seemingly light list of attendees.

The takeaway

Jordan's playful jab at the green room turnout for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh highlights how the event has evolved, with some top prospects opting to celebrate the biggest night of their careers with family and friends rather than in the traditional green room setting. This shift could signal a broader change in how players approach the draft experience.