The Baltimore Ravens have waived quarterback Diego Pavia, who finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up for Vanderbilt, before the official start of training camp.
Pavia, signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, did not secure a spot on the team's 90-man roster. His release comes ahead of full-squad training camp practices, which are scheduled to begin next Wednesday.
The Ravens' decision to cut Pavia means they will carry fewer than four quarterbacks on their roster. The team is expected to keep starter Lamar Jackson and presumed backup Tyler Huntley. The competition for the third quarterback spot has been narrowed down to veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano, another undrafted free agent signing. This suggests Pavia was viewed as the fifth-best quarterback on the team's depth chart.
While being cut at this stage is a setback, it allows Pavia to explore other opportunities. He is now free to sign with another NFL team before training camp begins, potentially offering coaches a longer evaluation period. Alternatively, he could seek a contract with a Canadian Football League (CFL) team, whose season extends through October.
The Ravens had shown interest in Pavia, bringing him in for a workout and keeping him through the offseason. New Ravens coach Jesse Minter received a recommendation from Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, a friend, but ultimately, Pavia's performance during the offseason program did not earn him a roster spot. His collegiate accolades, including his status as a Heisman Trophy runner-up and dynamic play at Vanderbilt, did not factor into the final decision.
