Quarterback Diego Pavia's National Football League prospects have become uncertain after the Baltimore Ravens waived the former Vanderbilt star on Thursday, just before the start of training camp. The move leaves the undrafted free agent, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, without an NFL team for the upcoming 2026 season.
This marks the second significant setback for the 24-year-old Pavia, as he was not selected by any team in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Ravens' decision places him in a precarious position as teams finalize their rosters.
Pavia could potentially be claimed by another NFL team, which would grant him a roster spot. However, if he goes unclaimed, he will enter free agency. In that scenario, he might wait for an opportunity arising from injuries or trades, as teams often seek additional players, particularly during training camp.
Another possibility for Pavia is joining a practice squad, though this might only offer limited practice opportunities, especially if signed later in the year. For more extensive playing time, Pavia may need to consider leagues outside the NFL.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) have held Pavia's negotiating rights since 2024. Earlier this year, the team expressed continued interest should his NFL aspirations falter. Winnipeg general manager Kyle Walters described Pavia as an "exciting" player who "wins" and would be an "interesting prospect" for the Blue Bombers.
The United Football League (UFL) has also emerged as a potential option. The league shared an NFL tweet announcing Pavia's waiver with a "looking eyes" emoji, suggesting potential interest.
Pavia led Vanderbilt to a notable 2025 season, recording 29 touchdown passes and 3,539 passing yards. However, concerns regarding his 5-foot-10 height and maturity have been cited as potential drawbacks by NFL teams. Pavia also faced scrutiny for an earlier outburst directed at Heisman voters, for which he later apologized.