Woah. Talk about a shocker, right? Just days before training camp officially kicks off, the Baltimore Ravens made a wild move, waving undrafted rookie quarterback Diego Pavia. This guy, a former Vanderbilt standout, actually finished second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting! I mean, seriously? You’d think a talent like that would get a longer look, but apparently, not in Baltimore.
From Heisman Contender to Roster Casualty
Pavia’s stay in Baltimore was brief, joining them as part of the offseason quarterback competition, but man, what a headline to be cut this early. You don’t often see a player with that kind of name recognition, fresh off a Heisman runner-up season, getting the axe before camp even truly heats up. He was battling for that third QB spot during spring practices, but the numbers game suddenly went sideways for him and his hopes of making the active roster.
Veteran Center Ethan Pocic Changes Everything
So why the sudden change of heart? Turns out, the numbers game changed once Baltimore officially landed veteran center Ethan Pocic. This dude passed his physical, and the team wasted no time bringing him aboard, creating room on their 90-man roster. Pocic is a former starter for the Cleveland Browns, bringing extensive experience to a position where Baltimore desperately needed help after Tyler Linderbaum jetted off to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Pocic isn’t just a warm body either; he’s got a legitimate shot at the starting job. That’s a huge upgrade, addressing one of their biggest roster questions, and it left the Ravens needing a roster spot, with Pavia becoming the casualty. Tough break for the young gun, but a smart move for the O-line, you gotta admit.
The New Battle for QB3 Heats Up
With Lamar Jackson locked in as the franchise quarterback, no surprises there, and Tyler Huntley back as an experienced backup, the real drama is now for that No. 3 spot. With Pavia out, it’s now a straight-up fight between veteran Skylar Thompson and another undrafted rookie, Joe Fagnano. Thompson, who has actually started NFL games, made a strong case for himself during minicamp. Fagnano, coming out of Connecticut, is definitely more of a developmental project. Honestly, Baltimore might just roll with two QBs on their 53-man roster when all is said and done, depending on what else they need elsewhere. But for now, that QB3 spot is wide open!
So, while it’s a bummer for Pavia, who had some serious hype, this move is all about shoring up the offensive line with Pocic. The Ravens made their call, and it’ll be wild to see who snags that final QB spot, if they even keep one. Training camp is about to get intense!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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