Following his release from the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, July 23, quarterback Diego Pavia is drawing attention from another professional football league. Pavia, a former Vanderbilt University star, was waived by the AFC North franchise before training camp was set to begin. This development puts Pavia in the market for a new team, as reported by an insider.
Pavia’s departure from the Ravens came after he signed a three-year contract in April, following the 2026 NFL Draft where he went undrafted. Despite the contract, his tenure with the team lasted less than three months. The Ravens announced his waiver in an article on July 23.
Pavia’s NFL Prospects and Other Options
Pavia faced a challenging path to secure a spot on an NFL roster, particularly after not being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Concerns about his physical stature, measuring 5 feet, 10 inches, were noted as not being typical for an NFL signal-caller. He measured 5 feet, 10 ⅛ inches at the NFL combine this year. Additionally, the Ravens‘ quarterback room already included an established starter, Lamar Jackson, and a proven backup, Tyler Huntley.
The Ravens waived Pavia to create space for veteran center Ethan Pocic on their 90-man roster. The team determined Pavia was the fifth-best quarterback on their roster, and they opted to proceed with four quarterbacks, narrowing the competition for the third-string position to veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano. Both Pavia and Fagnano were signed as undrafted free agents.
Pavia’s contract with the Ravens was a standard three-year deal for an undrafted free agent, with a total value of $3.1 million and an average annual value of $1.03 million. The contract included $0 in guaranteed money. This contract structure was consistent with the deal received by his former teammate, Joe Fagnano.
After being waived, Pavia entered a 24-hour waiver period. During this time, all 31 other NFL teams had the opportunity to claim his three-year deal. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent, able to sign with any team.
Interest from Other Leagues and Collegiate Achievements
The UFL, a spring football league, has sparked speculation about Pavia’s future with a social media post. The league has a history of signing notable players, and Pavia, a former Vanderbilt star, could be a candidate. The UFL and CFL are considered viable options for quarterbacks and other talented players seeking professional opportunities. Examples of players who have transitioned from the UFL to the NFL include KaVontae Turpin, Brandon Aubrey, and Harrison Mevis.
Despite the setback, it is considered likely that Pavia will receive another opportunity at some level of competition, given his skill set. NFL teams also continuously look for players as the season approaches, particularly if injuries occur. NFL rosters will not be finalized at 53 players until August 30, providing Pavia additional time to potentially secure a spot.
Pavia, who is 24 years old entering the 2026 season, was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2025. He finished second to Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, who was the Las Vegas Raiders‘ No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pavia’s performance at Vanderbilt was notable, as he helped transform the team into an SEC contender. In his final season, he led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record, marking the program’s first 10-win season in its history.
Pavia’s criticism regarding the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2025, where he took to Instagram to express his views after the ceremony, may have raised some personality concerns. However, his tenacity and ability to improve Vanderbilt‘s performance are recognized.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
