Diego Pavia is headed to the unemployment line.
The former Vanderbilt star quarterback was waived by the Baltimore Ravens on July 23 ahead of training camp, the team announced. It means that Pavia’s NFL dream is, at least temporarily, over before it even begins.
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Pavia signed with the Ravens after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. One of the more notable quarterback names on the board, the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up was unable to shed concerns about his height and overall lack of size.
The 24-year-old’s height was listed at just 5-9 7/8 inches after measurements at the Senior Bowl. That would’ve make him one of the shortest quarterbacks in NFL history. At the 2026 NFL Combine, that number increased just a bit, tallying at 5-10 1/8 in Indianapolis.
Pavia’s competitive spirit and toughness were never in question, but that wasn’t enough for the Ravens to keep him around. Now the quarterback will be in search of the next door that opens for him.
To make sense of those options, here’s a look at some landing spots for Pavia after his release from Baltimore.
Diego Pavia landing spots
Carolina Panthers
An unconventional idea, but the Panthers could double down on a shorter quarterback to be the insurance option behind Bryce Young. Even though they don’t have a need for a backup right now, Carolina would maintain some continuity in the event of an injury to Young.
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With Kenny Pickett and Haynes King already on the roster though, any Pavia signing would likely be for the preseason.
Detroit Lions
Teddy Bridgewater and Luke Altmyer are the only insurance behind Jared Goff on the Lions roster. This is a perfect spot for Pavia, given how well he fits the city and the football team’s mentality that represents it.
CFL or UFL
The Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL) both make sense for Pavia if he wants to keep playing and is unable to land another NFL opportunity. Both leagues could afford the Vanderbilt star something that he wouldn’t receive in the NFL – playing time.
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From a development standpoint, Pavia could continue working on his game and getting valuable reps, hoping that one NFL team sees enough potential to make the call.
If Pavia opted for the CFL, his status would be controlled by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The team has Pavia on their “negotiation list,” meaning his rights are held by Winnipeg. Any potential entry into the league would have to go through them first.
The UFL provides a little more freedom to Pavia if he wants to play there, given they do not have any restrictions in place like the CFL. However, he would likely have to wait until 2027 for the new UFL season to begin. An official start date hasn’t been announced, but the 2026 season began in March.
WWE
If Pavia decides to hang up his cleats, what about a pivot into the ring?
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USA TODAY Sports’ Jordan Mendoza previously made the case for Pavia to become a professional wrestler, arguing the Vanderbilt quarterback’s outburst after finishing second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting showed his skills as a potential WWE heel.
Did Diego Pavia get drafted?
Pavia was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why did Diego Pavia drop in the draft?
Pavia’s size is the main reason for his draft fall. The question is whether the quarterback has enough athleticism to make up for his height, which wasn’t a question for someone like Kyler Murray.
It wasn’t an issue in college, but that wouldn’t be the case against better, faster competition in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diego Pavia landing spots include NFL, CFL, UFL – and maybe WWE
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