Diego Pavia options after Ravens cut: Could star QB return to Vanderbilt? – The Tennessean

Diego Pavia‘s time with the Baltimore Ravens didn’t even make it to training camp.
Pavia, the former Vanderbilt football quarterback and Heisman runner-up, was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, but he was waived July 23.
Pavia’s NFL career is not necessarily over. Other teams will have the chance to sign him. But while his style of creating magic by scrambling outside the pocket was perfect in the Commodores‘ system, leading to their first 10-win season, it’s not as good of a fit in the NFL.
Pavia, who has always played with a chip on his shoulder, is unlikely to give up on playing football quickly. But here are five potential options for where Pavia could go next:
When a player is waived in the NFL, first other teams have the option to claim the player. If he goes unclaimed, he becomes a free agent.
While the timing is difficult with training camps about to get under way, Pavia could still sign with another team − or even rejoin the Ravens on their practice squad. He may need to wait, though. Most teams aren’t looking for a quarterback right now, but if there’s an injury, he could get a shot.
The Canadian Football League is certainly interested in Pavia. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold his negotiating rights and could sign him to a deal. The CFL season is already under way, which would make it difficult for Pavia to join a team during the 2026 season. He may need to wait until the offseason.
There’s also the United Football League, which plays in the spring. Pavia wouldn’t have to leave the US, and he could be the immediate starting quarterback for a team. Though not super common for quarterbacks, some NFL teams do sign players from the CFL or UFL.
When Pavia was at Vanderbilt, he expressed interest in coaching.
With Pavia’s drive to prove people wrong, it’s hard to see him giving up on his professional football career this quickly, but if he does, Clark Lea would likely welcome him back as a coach.
Were Pavia to embark into coaching, he would likely begin as an analyst, quality control coach or assistant quarterbacks coach. Recent NCAA rules would help him, as college football teams no longer have a limit on the number of on-field coaches.
As an analyst, Pavia could help instruct other quarterbacks, including Jared Curtis, on the field. However he would not be allowed to participate in off-campus recruiting.
Pavia has a wrestling background, and his personality seems like an ideal fit for WWE. He could lean into the villain role he sometimes had at Vanderbilt while continuing to compete.
The WWE has long been a speculated next career step for Pavia, and he’s attended WWE and UFC events as a fan.
A number of ex-football players have gotten into the podcasting or media sphere, with Pat McAfee and Taylor Lewan being two of the most notable. Pavia clearly has a lot to say, and a podcast would likely garner plenty of listeners.
Plus, Theo Von was frequently around the program in 2025, and Pavia could learn from him as far as what it takes to build a media empire.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.

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