What's happened
The Ravens have waived Diego Pavia, a Vanderbilt Heisman finalist, ahead of training camp. He remains unsigned by an NFL team and faces potential options in the CFL, USFL, or other leagues as he searches for a place on a roster or practice squad.
What's behind the headline?
Quick take
- Pavia has not found a new NFL home since being waived by Baltimore. The market for undersized quarterbacks remains tight, and teams may favor journeymen with NFL track records over high-upside, smaller players.
- Winnipeg’s negotiating rights and interest from other leagues create a potential path back to pro football, though success will depend on how quickly teams evaluate him after a rocky pre-draft process.
- The story underscores the volatility of NFL rosters during training camp as teams juggle depth charts and cap space.
What’s next
- Pavia could be claimed off waivers, sign with a CFL/USFL team, or latch on with a practice squad to prove himself in a less pressurized environment.
- If he signs elsewhere, expect rapid reporting on whether he competes for a starting role or a depth-chart position.
How we got here
Pavia led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 season in 2025, throwing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns. Size questions and a viral post after losing the Heisman have affected his draft stock. Baltimore signed him as an undrafted free agent but waived him to free up a roster spot for a veteran center, Ethan Pocic, underscoring the Ravens’ crowded quarterback room.
Our analysis
New York Post reports: Ravens waived Pavia as they added Ethan Pocic; Vanderbilt standout previously drew Heisman finalist attention with college success. AP News notes he remains unsigned as the Ravens’ QB depth chart solidifies behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. The Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers have shown interest, per Kyle Walters, with potential negotiating rights in place.
Go deeper
- Will Pavia land with a CFL/USFL team or a return to the NFL before training camp ends?
- Who else in the league is in a similar position as Pavia and what does this say about the NFL’s quarterback development path?
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Vanderbilt University - Private university in Nashville, Tennessee
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Diego Pavia (born February 16, 2002) is an American professional football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the New Mexico Military Broncos, winning the 2021 NJCAA National Football Championship, and spent his next two seasons with the New Mexico State Aggies, where he was named the 2023 CUSA Offensive Player of the Year. Pavia played his final two seasons for the Vanderbilt Commodores, winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, SN College Football Player of the Year, and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. The following year, he signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.