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Ravens waive rookie QB Diego Pavia

By Thomson Reuters Jul 23, 2026 | 4:43 PM

Ravens rookie quarterback Diego Pavia was waived on Thursday to clear a roster spot for Baltimore to sign veteran ​offensive lineman Ethan Pocic.

Undrafted out of ‌Vanderbilt, Pavia was signed by the Ravens as a free agent in April with a three-year, $3.1 million contract.

Pavia, 24, led Vanderbilt to its first season ‌with ​double-digit wins and was ⁠the runner-up to No. ⁠1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza for the 2025 Heisman Trophy while winning the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award. He ​had 39 total touchdowns (29 TD passes) and only eight interceptions in 2025.

A fiery ⁠competitor, Pavia was highly productive ⁠against SEC opponents but wasn’t ​a highly rated draft prospect because of his ​height. He measured at just 5-foot-10-1/8 at ‌the NFL Scouting Combine, where he opted not to participate in athletic testing and timing. He did work out in position-specific drills ⁠with the quarterbacks.

Behind starter Lamar Jackson, the Ravens list veterans Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson as ⁠their backups. ‌The Ravens also signed 25-year-old rookie ⁠Joe Fagnano (UConn) as an undrafted ​free ‌agent in April.

If Pavia goes unclaimed ​on waivers, ⁠he will become a free agent open to sign with any team.

Another option could be heading north to the CFL. His negotiating rights are held by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

–Field ​Level Media