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Diego Pavia’s first NFL contract was for three years. In total, it did not last three months.
The Baltimore Ravens have waived Pavia, the quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist from Vanderbilt, ahead of training camp, the team announced in an article on July 23. Baltimore had initially signed Pavia to a standard, three-year deal in April after he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pavia, 24, will enter a 24-hour waiver period following the transaction. All 31 other teams will be able to file a waiver claim to take on Pavia’s three-year deal. Should he clear waivers, he will become a free agent again, free to sign with any team.
The Vanderbilt product was a longshot to make the Ravens’ roster in his first season in the pros. In addition to the concerns about his 5-foot-10, 203-pound frame, Pavia needed to battle for a role in a Baltimore quarterbacks room that already features an entrenched starter in Lamar Jackson and a proven backup in Tyler Huntley.
Despite his smaller size, Pavia managed to finish as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The former New Mexico State transfer turned Vanderbilt into an SEC contender during his time with the Commodores. In his final season, he led them to a 10-3 record for the first 10-win season in Vanderbilt history.
Pavia was due to battle fellow UDFA rookie Joe Fagnano and fifth-year veteran Skylar Thompson for the Ravens’ third-string quarterback job come training camp. Instead, he will have to seek an NFL roster spot with another team.
Pavia measured in at 5 feet, 10 ⅛ inches at the NFL combine this year.
- Term: 3 years
- Total value: $3.1 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $1.03 million
- Guaranteed money: $0
The Ravens signed Pavia to a three-year contract after he went undrafted. The three-year length of the deal was typical for a UDFA contract, and the $3.1 million total value matched former teammate and rookie UDFA Joe Fagnano’s deal.
Pavia’s contract could be picked up by another team, with all details retained, if he is claimed on waivers. If Pavia clears waivers, any team may offer him a different contract.
Pavia is 24 years old entering the 2026 season. He is six months older than Patriots quarterback and 2025 MVP runner-up Drake Maye and over a year-and-a-half older than Raiders quarterback and 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
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