Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ neg list QB Diego Pavia waived by Baltimore Ravens

Photo courtesy: Shawn Hubbard/Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have waived quarterback Diego Pavia ahead of the opening of NFL training camps, re-igniting speculation that he could be a fit for the CFL.

The 24-year-old has been on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ exclusive negotiation list since June 1, 2024, giving them the rights to sign him if he were to come north. The organization indicated in April that they were closely monitoring Pavia’s career trajectory and that they had engaged in preliminary conversations with his representatives to inform them about the CFL.

Pavia went unselected during the 2026 NFL Draft and did not sign with the Ravens until 72 hours later, an unusually long wait for a quarterback prospect of his status. That fueled conversations on both sides of the border that Winnipeg might offer him the best path forward.

The five-foot-ten, 207-pound passer was a bona fide college star over two seasons at Vanderbilt University, earning two All-SEC selections, a first-team All-American selection, a Heisman Trophy finalist selection, and winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and SEC Offensive Player of the Year awards. He went 17-9 as a starter with the Commodores, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 5,832 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,663 yards and 18 scores.

Pavia previously played two seasons at New Mexico State University, completing 57.9 percent of his passes for 4,423 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while rushing for 1,431 yards and 13 scores. He earned a second-team All-CUSA selection in 2023.

The Albuquerque, N.M., native started his collegiate career at the New Mexico Military Institute, where he went 12-1 as a starter in 2021 and threw 21 touchdown passes to only one interception. He famously sued the NCAA in order to have his time in junior college not count against his eligibility.

After being placed on waivers, Pavia can now be claimed by any of the other 31 NFL teams. Should he go unclaimed, he will become a free agent and will then be eligible to sign in Winnipeg if he so chooses.