Diego Pavia Cut by Ravens Ahead of Training Camp

Being a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy is no guarantee of an NFL career, as quarterback Diego Pavia is discovering. The Baltimore Ravens released Pavia, a former standout from Vanderbilt University, on Thursday. This decision came just days before the team’s full-squad training camp practices were set to begin.

Pavia’s release comes with mixed implications. Timing-wise, it may benefit him by freeing him to sign with another NFL team before training camps commence, offering coaches a longer evaluation period. Alternatively, Pavia might explore opportunities in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where a team could potentially require a quarterback due to injury, as their season continues through October.

However, the Ravens’ decision to part ways with Pavia also carries a significant downside. It suggests that the team, which expressed the most interest in him post-draft, evaluating him throughout the offseason, ultimately deemed him not a good enough fit for their roster.

The Ravens made room for veteran center Ethan Pocic by waiving Pavia. Examining Baltimore’s quarterback situation, Pavia was considered their third option for the No. 3 quarterback role. The Ravens decided against retaining three players for this spot, narrowing their choice to veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano, another undrafted free agent like Pavia.

This strategic move left Pavia as the fifth quarterback on the depth chart when they’re only keeping four. With Lamar Jackson and presumed backup Tyler Huntley expected to secure positions, Pavia found himself without a spot.

Pavia’s journey with the Ravens had an initial advantage, given Head Coach Jesse Minter’s connection with Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, Pavia’s former coach. Unfortunately, neither his performance at Vanderbilt nor his Heisman runner-up status could secure him a place with the Ravens.