The Baltimore Ravens are done with Diego Pavia, roughly three months after they signed him to a three-year contract. Instead, Pavia didn’t even make it to training camp, as the Ravens released him a day before rookies were set to report.
Yet, just because the Ravens (and possibly the NFL) are done with the undrafted rookie quarterback, it doesn’t mean other leagues and teams aren’t interested in the 2025 Heisman runner-up.
UFL Already Recruiting Pavia?
While the timing is extremely tough- Pavia not even getting a chance to show what he can do in training camp- he was always a long shot for the NFL. The truth is, 5-foot-9 quarterbacks just don’t exist in the pros today.
Yet, just because they don’t exist in the NFL doesn’t mean shorter quarterbacks can’t have success playing football elsewhere.
One league where Pavia could potentially still become a star is in the UFL. Ironically, the UFL was quick to remind him of their existence after news broke of his release from Baltimore, simply using the eyes emoji as a repost.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) July 23, 2026
Plus, there may still be a path for Pavia to find success in the NFL. After all, Bryce Young isn’t far off in height. The Carolina Panthers QB is listed at 5-foot-10, as is Minnesota Vikings gunslinger Kyler Murray. But both were former No. 1 overall picks, displaying intangibles that scouts haven’t identified in Pavia.
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Meanwhile, Pavia has also shown to be a very good football player. He led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record last season, winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the best upperclassman QB in college football. That didn’t happen by mistake.
Nevertheless, Pavia’s next chapter may be one that takes place outside of the NFL, and proving himself in the UFL first may be a great way to get the attention of pro scouts. After all, several others who have been overlooked have turned to the alternative football league to show they can make a difference.
Players like All-Pro special-teamer KaVontae Turpin starred in the UFL before taking their talents to the NFL, latching on with the Dallas Cowboys. While Turpin became a star, there are several other, smaller examples of thriving NFL players who used the UFL as a stepping stone.
Maybe that path still exists for Pavia. Either way, it looks like he’ll likely still get more opportunities to continue his football career if he so chooses. Still just 24 years old, Pavia could be years away from reaching his peak as a quarterback, and now he’ll just have to continue refining those skills.
