Pavia Waived by Ravens: A Look at the Quarterback Battle

Updated July 24, 2026 8 min read

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Pavia Waived by Ravens Ahead of Training Camp: What It Means for the Quarterback Battle

TL;DR: The Baltimore Ravens waived rookie quarterback Diego Pavia in late July 2026 to create a roster spot for offensive lineman Ethan Pocic. The decision signals that Pavia was not expected to compete seriously for a role in Baltimore’s quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson, and it reshapes the depth chart heading into training camp.

The Baltimore Ravens waived rookie quarterback Diego Pavia ahead of the 2026 training camp, making a clear statement about their quarterback depth plans. The move, confirmed by the team on July 23, 2026, cleared a roster spot that the Ravens used to sign veteran offensive lineman Ethan Pocic.

Quick Answer

The Ravens waived Diego Pavia, a former Heisman Trophy finalist, before training camp to make room for offensive lineman Ethan Pocic. The decision reflects Baltimore’s confidence in their current quarterback hierarchy behind starter Lamar Jackson and reduces the number of signal-callers competing for roster spots during camp.

Key Takeaways

The Ravens waived rookie QB Diego Pavia on July 23, 2026, to free up a roster spot for OL Ethan Pocic.
Pavia was a Heisman Trophy finalist at New Mexico State before entering the NFL.
The move suggests the Ravens view their quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson as set heading into training camp.
Baltimore’s roster construction prioritized offensive line depth over carrying an extra quarterback.
Pavia may draw interest from other NFL teams or could end up on a practice squad.

Who Is Diego Pavia and Why Did the Ravens Waive Him?

Diego Pavia rose to national prominence as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback at New Mexico State, where he earned recognition as a Heisman Trophy finalist during his college career. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking for developmental quarterback talent.

The Ravens signed Pavia as an undrafted free agent, giving him an opportunity to compete in organized team activities and minicamp. However, the decision to waive him before training camp even began indicates that coaching staff evaluators did not see a path for him to earn a meaningful role on the 53-man roster. According to ESPN’s reporting, the move was transactional in nature — the Ravens needed a spot for Pocic and chose to part ways with Pavia rather than cut a player at a position of greater need.

How the Roster Move Impacts Baltimore’s Quarterback Room

Baltimore’s decision to waive Pavia reinforces the reality that the quarterback battle behind Lamar Jackson was never truly wide open. The Ravens have invested in their backup situation with players they view as more capable of serving as a reliable emergency option behind the reigning MVP-caliber starter.

Quarterback	Status	Role
Lamar Jackson	Starter	Franchise quarterback, undisputed QB1
Backup QB	Active roster	Primary backup, game-day emergency option
Third QB	Active roster or practice squad	Developmental / emergency depth
Diego Pavia	Waived	No longer with the team

With Pavia off the roster, the Ravens can focus training camp repetitions on the quarterbacks they believe give them the best chance to remain competitive if Jackson misses time. This is a common approach for teams with an established starter — they would rather invest reps in players they plan to keep than spread them across long-shot candidates.

What the Ethan Pocic Signing Tells Us About Baltimore’s Priorities

The Ravens waived Pavia specifically to make room for Ethan Pocic, a veteran offensive lineman. This transaction reveals Baltimore’s primary concern heading into training camp: protecting Lamar Jackson. Rather than carrying a fourth or fifth quarterback, the front office chose to add proven depth along the offensive line.

Pocic brings experience as a versatile interior lineman who can play center and guard. For a team built around a mobile quarterback who thrives in a dynamic rushing attack, having reliable offensive line depth is essential. The Ravens’ blocking scheme under the current coaching staff demands linemen who can move in space and execute zone-blocking concepts — a skill set Pocic has demonstrated throughout his NFL career.

For more information on how NFL teams build their rosters around franchise quarterbacks, see our guide on NFL roster construction strategies.

What Happens Next for Diego Pavia?

Being waived before training camp does not end a player’s NFL aspirations. Pava, despite his brief stint in Baltimore, carries the credibility of being a Heisman Trophy finalist at the college level. Several possible outcomes await him:

Claimed off waivers: Another NFL team could claim Pavia if they have interest in his skill set and see him as a developmental project.
Practice squad opportunity: If Pavia clears waivers, the Ravens or another team could sign him to a practice squad, allowing him to continue developing away from the active roster.
Return to Baltimore: It is possible, though unlikely, that Pavia re-signs with the Ravens on a practice squad deal if no other team claims him.
Alternative leagues: If the NFL does not work out immediately, Pavia could pursue opportunities in leagues like the UFL or other developmental circuits.

Research shows that many NFL quarterbacks who begin as undrafted free agents eventually find their way onto active rosters through persistence and development. Pavia’s college production and dual-threat ability give him traits that NFL scouts value, even if the fit was not right in Baltimore.

What Are the Broader Implications for the Ravens’ Training Camp?

The waiver of Pavia simplifies the Ravens’ training camp quarterback competition. With fewer signal-callers in the room, the coaching staff can allocate more practice time to the players who matter most to the 2026 season plan. This is particularly important for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, where every training camp rep counts.

Baltimore enters the 2026 season with legitimate championship expectations. The front office’s willingness to waive a high-profile name like Pavia demonstrates a clear focus on building the most competitive 53-man roster possible, regardless of a player’s college pedigree or name recognition. This is consistent with how the Ravens have operated under general manager Eric DeCosta — prioritizing roster pragmatism over sentimentality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Baltimore Ravens waive Diego Pavia?

The Ravens waived Diego Pavia to create a roster spot for veteran offensive lineman Ethan Pocic. The move indicated that Pavia was not expected to compete for a meaningful role in Baltimore’s quarterback room behind starter Lamar Jackson, and the team chose to invest the roster spot in offensive line depth instead.

Was Diego Pavia drafted by the Ravens?

Diego Pavia was not selected in the NFL Draft. The Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent, giving him an opportunity to compete during offseason workouts and minicamp before ultimately parting ways with him before training camp.

Who is Ethan Pocic, and why was he signed?

Ethan Pocic is a veteran NFL offensive lineman who can play center and guard. The Ravens signed him to add depth along the offensive line, a position they prioritized over carrying an additional quarterback on the roster heading into the 2026 season.

What does this mean for the Ravens’ quarterback depth chart?

The waiver of Pavia confirms that Baltimore is comfortable with its quarterback hierarchy behind Lamar Jackson. The move reduces the number of quarterbacks in camp and allows the coaching staff to focus practice repetitions on the signal-callers the team plans to retain for the regular season.

Can another NFL team sign Diego Pavia after he was waived?

Yes. After being waived, Pavia is subject to the NFL’s waiver claim process. If no team claims him within the designated period, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, including potentially returning to the Ravens on a practice squad contract.

How does this transaction reflect the Ravens’ roster-building philosophy?

The move reflects Baltimore’s pragmatic approach to roster construction. The front office under Eric DeCosta consistently prioritizes positions of greatest need over sentimentality or name recognition, choosing to invest in offensive line protection for Lamar Jackson rather than carrying a developmental quarterback with an uncertain path to the active roster.

Conclusion

The decision to waive Diego Pavia ahead of training camp is a straightforward roster management move by the Baltimore Ravens, but it carries meaningful context about the team’s priorities for the 2026 season. By choosing offensive line depth in Ethan Pocic over a developmental quarterback, the Ravens signaled their commitment to protecting Lamar Jackson and building the deepest possible roster for a championship run.

Pavia, a former Heisman Trophy finalist, now faces an uncertain NFL future but retains the talent and profile that could earn him an opportunity elsewhere. For the Ravens, the focus shifts squarely to training camp, where the simplified quarterback room will allow coaches to prepare the players who will matter most when the regular season begins.

The Bottom Line

The Ravens’ waiver of rookie quarterback Diego Pavia is a roster-clearing transaction that reveals Baltimore’s clear priorities: offensive line protection and a streamlined quarterback depth chart behind Lamar Jackson. The move was not a reflection of Pavia’s talent — he was a legitimate college star — but rather a calculated decision to allocate a limited roster spot where the coaching staff believes it will have the greatest impact. As training camp opens, the Ravens are positioned with a focused roster built to compete for a Super Bowl, and that clarity starts with knowing exactly who belongs in the quarterback room.