NFL snub pushes undrafted Diego Pavia toward the CFL amid one team’s interest as Jon Gruden clip sparks questions (Getty)
Diego Pavia walked into the 2026 NFL Draft expecting a chance. He walked out without one. Seven rounds passed, and no team called his name. For a Heisman runner-up who produced at a high level, that silence has quickly turned into one of the biggest talking points after the draft.Now the focus has shifted just as fast. Pavia still has a small opening to chase an NFL spot, but the conversation is already moving beyond that. Alternative leagues are no longer backup plans. They are real paths, and at the same time, a resurfaced clip has added another layer to how his situation is being viewed.
UFL and CFL paths come into focus as NFL window tightens for Diego Pavia
Right after the draft, Diego Pavia accepted a rookie minicamp invite from the Baltimore Ravens. That keeps him in the NFL picture, but only barely.
Minicamp invites give a shot, not a guarantee, and competition at quarterback remains tight.
Because of that, attention has shifted to other leagues that offer a clearer role. The UFL stands out as a natural fit. Pavia’s ability to move, extend plays, and operate outside structure suits that style of football. Analyst Pat McAfee summed it up on X when he said, “If it doesn’t work out… is he not the UFL QB blueprint?” The comment reflects how his skill set could translate better outside the NFL system.
At the same time, the CFL offers something even more direct. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers already hold Pavia’s negotiating rights. That puts them in control if he decides to go that route. Unlike the NFL, where he must compete within a short tryout window, the CFL offers a more stable entry point.
Jon Gruden clip resurfaces and adds fresh questions to Diego Pavia’s draft story
While those options gained traction, another moment returned to the spotlight. A pre-draft clip of Pavia speaking with Jon Gruden started circulating again.
In that exchange, Gruden asked about his agent. Pavia replied, “No, I’m representing myself,” and added that he did not want anyone taking a percentage of his earnings.
That response sounded confident at the time. After the draft, it raised questions. It did not decide his outcome on its own, but it added to concerns teams already had about his size and arm strength. When those doubts stack up, teams tend to move in a different direction.Agent Malki Kawa later clarified on X, saying, “He didn’t have an NIL agent. I am his agent for the NFL.” That clears up part of the confusion, but it came after decisions had already been made.Now everything connects. The NFL chance depends on a short minicamp window. The UFL offers a better stylistic fit. The CFL already has a team ready to sign him with its rights. And with that clip back in focus, every move Pavia makes from here will carry even more attention.
