Diego Pavia has a new level of clarity on his NFL future, while the Steelers are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers to decide on his.
The Ravens signed Pavia on Tuesday to a three-year contract as an underrated free agent. Pavia—a former star quarterback at Vanderbilt and second in Heisman Trophy voting behind eventual No. 1 NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza—had been originally set to attend Baltimore’s rookie minicamp this weekend on a tryout basis. The team, however, took the next step and tendered the contract offer before that even happened.
Contract terms were not immediately disclosed, but undrafted NFL free agents such as him typically sign three-year, $3.1 million deals—equal to the NFL minimum salaries during each of the next three years and the corresponding tenure—with little, if any, guaranteed money. By comparison, even a seventh-round draft pick garners a contract worth more than $4 million over four years, and typically with greater amounts of guaranteed money.
Pavia went undrafted this past weekend, representing the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 in that situation. Despite gaudy on-field numbers, his age (24) and height (5 feet, 10 and one-eighth inches) were both seen as liabilities.
In Baltimore, he’ll compete for the No. 3 position on the quarterback depth chart behind starter and former league Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley. The Ravens also signed UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano to a similar contract as an undrafted free agent.
The Steelers are still looking for a 2026 playing decision from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with the situation involving the 42-year-old once again defining much of the team’s offseason. With the NFL Draft now in the books, Pittsburgh is now trying to advance the matter with a somewhat rare contract move.
The team has reportedly placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers as he assesses his options. If Rodgers returns to the Steelers, he will be in line for a 10% raise from last year, equating to a 2026 salary of about $15 million. If he goes elsewhere—a lesser possibility since it’s not known that other teams are pursuing him—the Steelers will get a compensatory pick in next year’s draft. And if he doesn’t sign anywhere by July 22 and the start of training camps, the Steelers will own exclusive negotiating rights with him.
Several other NFL teams have used similar maneuvers in recent years, including the Chargers with running back J.K. Dobbins and the Browns with wide receiver Elijah Moore last year. It’s far more unusual, though, for a player of Rodgers’ stature. The move is seen as somewhat procedural, though, as expectations remain high around the league that Rodgers will ultimately return to the Steelers.
As that situation plays out, the Steelers hedged their bets somewhat last weekend, selecting Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round. Allar will join that team’s quarterback depth chart, which currently includes Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
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