Diego Pavia gets immediate NFL truth after team secures negotiating rights for quarterback

Diego Pavia’s quest to land on an NFL team has already had enough twists and turn to last a career.

Pavia became the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.

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There were several reasons as to why teams may have overlooked him during the 2026 NFL Draft, his size (5-foot-9 and 7/8), and lack of arm strength when compared to other hurlers in the mix.

But, he was handed a lifeline just two days after the draft concluded.

Pavia accepted to an invitation to a rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens, competing against UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano, who also went unselected.

However, Ian Rapoport has given an indication as to how the tryout went for both parties.

The NFL Network National Insider announced that the Ravens are signing Fagnano to a three-year deal. Monetary value is yet to be announced.

The battle for the developmental position behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley is over, and spells bad news for Pavia’s NFL future, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Which team holds Diego Pavia’s negotiating rights?

The 24-year-old has already been touted as the face of the United Football League (UFL) by Pat McAfee, but it’s a team from the Canadian Football League (CFL) that could be first in line for his signature, should Pavia fall short in his NFL dream.

According to 3DownNation, the quarterback’s exclusive CFL rights belong to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who added him to their negotiation list in 2024.

Over the weekend, a Winnipeg spokesperson told they outlet that they’re ‘unaware of whether or not’ the team has been in contact with Pavia’s agent.

When it comes to signing players, the CFL operates slightly different to other leagues.

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Each team maintains a negotiation list of up to 45 players who are unsigned, playing in the NFL, in another professional league, or in college.

Teams hold exclusive negotiating rights with players on their lists, and those names can be added, traded or removed at any time.

Rights to players are often secured years in advance, with teams identifying talent that could eventually make their way north if NFL opportunities don’t work out.

As it stands, Winnipeg would be the only team in the CFL allowed to strike a deal with Pavia and his agent.

There’s a good chance that Pavia may decide against heading to Canada for now, especially as he’s still so young and has an opportunity with the Ravens.

Diego Pavia tipped to follow Doug Flutie career path

But if he does end up playing in the CFL, he’s been tipped to tear it up.

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Ben DiNucci, a college football commentator for CBS Sports who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2020 Draft before later playing in the XFL, believes Pavia has ‘sky high’ potential.

“If I was Diego Pavia and still want to play football I would call the CFL and the UFL immediately,” he wrote on X.

“No better way to shut people up and show them you’re serious about playing.

“Just have to go play somewhere at this point.

“I could see him having similar career to Doug Flutie up north.”

Flutie is regarded as one of the CFL’s greatest-ever stars.

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He was named Most Outstanding Player a record six times, and won three Grey Cups.

Flutie, a Heisman winner, switched between the NFL and CFL for nearly two decades, between 1986 and 2005.

He’s proof quarterbacks can make a name for themselves up north, and a Flutie-esc career could be appealing to Pavia.

Right now, though, the Vanderbilt standout will be fully focused on making an impression with the Ravens.

At minicamp, which runs from May 1-3, he has a chance to showcase his talent and prove that 31 other teams were wrong to pass on him in the draft.

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