Rookie QB Diego Pavia’s stay with the Baltimore Ravens? It lasted a blink, just 83 days. The team waived the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up on Thursday, July 23, 2026, a mere 24 hours before rookies were even set to report for training camp. Pavia signed as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt on May 1, and his shot at being the Ravens’ QB3 behind two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley is already gone.
The Battle for QB3 That Never Really Started
Pavia was supposedly in the mix to compete for that third-string spot, with Skylar Thompson, a 2022 seventh-round pick, and Joe Fagnano, a 2026 undrafted free agent out of Connecticut, also in the mix. But let’s be real, the Ravens likely aren’t even planning to carry more than Jackson and Huntley on their 53-man roster for the 2026 season. That third quarterback spot? It almost always means a practice squad gig, plain and simple. Baltimore will probably divvy up most of those preseason game reps between their top two guys, making it even tougher for any long-shot to make an impression.
Heisman Hype vs. Hard Realities
Pavia’s college resume is no joke, though. The dude led Vanderbilt to their first 10-win season in school history, setting single-season records for wins, 3,539 passing yards, and 29 passing touchdowns. He was second in college football in total yards per game (338.5) and tied for third in total touchdowns (39). And get this: his 119 career total touchdowns and 88 career passing touchdowns led college football since 2022. But his size, 5-foot-10 and 203 pounds, always meant sticking in the NFL would be an uphill climb. And then there’s the “distraction factor.” Pavia posted an expletive-filled image about the Heisman voters after losing the award to Fernando Mendoza, later apologizing. For some teams, that kind of baggage might not be worth the risk, especially for a depth piece.
What’s Next for the Ravens’ Quarterback Room
So, the Ravens’ quarterback room heads into camp with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley firmly entrenched, and the battle for QB3 essentially moot before it even began. Pavia faces an even steeper uphill battle now, needing to prove himself elsewhere against the odds, both on the field and in terms of managing his image.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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