Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback who made waves as a Heisman Trophy finalist, is once again navigating the uncertainties of the NFL after the Baltimore Ravens waived him on Thursday.
The move came well before the team’s season opener, signaling that the undrafted rookie hadn’t secured a spot on the final roster despite an initial opportunity with one of the league’s more intriguing quarterback rooms. So, where will Pavia land next?
Well, Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek pitched three potential destinations for the 24-year-old.
Polacek noted that the Kansas City Chiefs, with their proven success and emphasis on quarterback development, could provide an ideal learning environment. The Los Angeles Rams, known for innovative schemes under Sean McVay, might similarly value Pavia’s mobility and playmaking ability in a supporting role. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills offer another high-powered offense where a young quarterback could grow alongside elite talent.
Pavia’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. After a standout final season with the Commodores—where he threw for over 3,500 yards with a completion rate above 70 percent, added nearly 900 rushing yards, and helped deliver the program’s first 10-win season in history—he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That outcome made him the first Heisman finalist to hear his name called in free agency since 2014. Yet his production and confidence never wavered, even as questions about his listed height around 5-foot-10 lingered throughout the pre-draft process.
The Ravens acted quickly, signing the dual-threat signal-caller to a three-year deal shortly after the draft. It offered a chance to develop behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley. For a young quarterback still refining his game against NFL defenses, the environment seemed promising.
Pavia has long embraced his underdog status, once telling reporters that his size had been doubted his entire life but that winning was what truly mattered. His track record at Vanderbilt, which included no losing seasons in recent years, backed up that self-belief.
Nevertheless, training camp evidently didn’t unfold as hoped for the rookie. Baltimore opted to move on, prioritizing other roster needs.
While disappointing, the waiver doesn’t close the door on Pavia’s professional aspirations.
At this stage, his most realistic path involves joining a stable situation where he can absorb knowledge as a practice squad player or third-string option rather than competing immediately for significant snaps.
Pavia’s blend of arm talent, scrambling ability, and leadership could still prove valuable in the right system. His college dominance showed he can elevate those around him, even if translating that to the pro level will require time and patience.
For now, the focus shifts to finding the next opportunity that allows him to continue proving doubters wrong, much as he did throughout his collegiate career. The NFL is full of quarterbacks who carved out roles after humble beginnings, and Pavia’s story may yet have more chapters ahead.
