Diego Pavia, the former Heisman Trophy finalist, is already looking for a new NFL home after the Baltimore Ravens released the rookie quarterback on Thursday. This move came well ahead of their September 13 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, signaling a quick end to Pavia’s initial shot with the AFC North team.
From Heisman Finalist to Undrafted Quick Cut
It’s a wild turn for a guy who was just a Heisman Trophy finalist in his final season at Vanderbilt. Seriously, Pavia became the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014, which tells you something about the NFL’s priorities, right? His future in the league felt tenuous even then, so the Ravens moving on isn’t exactly a shocker. What IS wild is how fast it went down. Baltimore scooped him up on a three-year deal shortly after the 2026 draft ended, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, even deciding to sign him before an originally scheduled tryout. They saw enough to commit, but apparently, he hasn’t shown enough heading into his rookie season to keep that roster spot.
The “Size” Question and a “Winner” Mentality
The big question mark around Pavia has always been his size. He measured in at just 5-foot-9 7/8 at the Senior Bowl and 5-foot-10 1/8 at the NFL Scouting Combine. In a league of giants, that’s pretty short for an NFL quarterback, and people were absolutely wondering how he’d hold up against pro defenses, even with all his self-confidence. Pavia himself knows the deal, telling reporters in January, “Yeah, my size has been doubted my whole life. I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win, and I view myself as a winner.” And honestly, the guy has a point about winning. He led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record in 2025, their first double-digit-win season in program history. He completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, plus added 862 yards and 10 scores on the ground as a runner. That’s serious production, regardless of height.
Baltimore surely took all that into account when they brought him in. It’s a tough break for Pavia, who could have been learning from two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley. It wouldn’t have been meaningful playing time, but it was a chance to develop. Now, he’s back to square one, looking for a similar opportunity elsewhere to prove his winning ways can translate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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