Full Breakdown
Baltimore Ravens Sign Undrafted Vanderbilt Quarterback Diego Pavia
5/5/2026, 1:39:07 AM
Signing Overview
After the 2026 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens signed Vanderbilt’s former quarterback Diego Pavia as an undrafted free agent. He received a three-year contract that contains no signing bonus and no guaranteed money, allowing the team to release him without financial penalty. Pavia joins a 90-man offseason roster that already includes starter Lamar Jackson, backup Tyler Huntley, and fellow undrafted quarterback Joe Fagnano.
College Performance and Draft Outcome
In the 2025 season Pavia posted 3,539 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 862 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns, completing 70.6 % of his passes—the SEC’s best rate. He earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up behind Fernando Mendoza. Despite these accolades, scouts highlighted his 5-foot-10-inch stature, perceived limited arm talent, and off-field concerns—including a controversial Instagram post (“F--K ALL THE VOTERS”) for which he later apologized—as reasons he went undrafted.
Contract, Roster Competition, and Role
Pavia’s deal is a low-risk, no-guarantee contract that positions him as a potential third-string quarterback or practice-squad player. He will directly compete with Joe Fagnano for the third-quarterback slot behind Jackson and Huntley. The Ravens have indicated that the roster may not retain three quarterbacks into the regular season, making the competition especially tight.
Team Perspective and Minicamp Remarks
Head coach Jesse Minter framed Pavia’s opportunity as a standard undrafted rookie challenge. He stressed that the signing is an opportunity to evaluate a player who could develop into a useful depth option, without any immediate commitment. Minter highlighted Pavia’s work ethic, noting his early-day preparation and willingness to improve from past experiences.
Criticism and Concerns
Analysts point to several reservations. At 5 ft 10 in, Pavia falls below the typical NFL quarterback prototype, raising doubts about his arm strength at the professional level. The prior social-media incident and questions about maturity add off-field scrutiny. The contract’s lack of guaranteed money underscores the team’s cautious stance and the slim margin for error.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Sources differ on the signing timeline: some describe an immediate three-year contract after the draft, while others note an initial rookie-minicamp invitation that later evolved into a contract. Additionally, most outlets label Pavia as the Heisman runner-up, but one source merely calls him a “Heisman contender.” No public performance data from the rookie minicamp has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So now he’s in the door and it’s like, ‘Show us what you can do,'” — Jesse Minter, Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens
- “For us, we see it as an opportunity to bring a player in that could potentially be something, and that's really what this is for us.” — Jesse Minter
- “But when you talk to the people inside that building [at Vanderbilt] and what he's about as a player, he is showing up early every day and working really hard.” — Jesse Minter
- “(Pavia has) had some experiences that are learning experiences that he could learn from and be better from.” — Jesse Minter
What’s Next
Pavia will participate in organized team activities, OTAs, and training camp. His performance will determine whether he secures a roster spot, joins the practice squad, or is released before the regular season.
