Being a Heisman Trophy runner-up does not assure a career in the NFL, a truth Diego Pavia is now confronting. The Baltimore Ravens released Pavia, a former star quarterback from Vanderbilt University, on Thursday. The Ravens’ training camp practices start next Wednesday, so Pavia did not last until camp began.
This timing may be favorable for Pavia, as he was considered unlikely to make the Baltimore roster. After going unpicked in the 2026 NFL Draft, he is free to sign with another NFL team before training camp starts. This could allow coaches to evaluate him more thoroughly in pursuit of a roster slot.
If continuing in the NFL isn’t an option, Pavia might aim to join a CFL team with quarterback needs due to injuries. The CFL season extends through October, providing another path for his professional career.
However, being let go now is a setback. The team that showed the most interest post-draft decided against keeping him. Pavia’s presence during the entire offseason wasn’t enough for the Ravens to retain him.
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The Ravens dropped Pavia to add veteran center Ethan Pocic to their 90-man roster, considering their overall lineup. Evaluating the quarterback situation, the Ravens concluded Pavia was the third-best for the third quarterback spot, reducing competition to veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano, another undrafted free agent.
Pavia was deemed the fifth-best quarterback in Baltimore, as the team plans to keep four: starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley are expected to be on the roster. This makes a challenging day for Pavia inevitable.
The Ravens had prior knowledge of Pavia through their new coach Jesse Minter and his connection to Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, who coached Pavia recently. Yet, despite Pavia’s impressive performances at Vanderbilt and his Heisman runner-up status, none of this influenced the Ravens’ final decision.