Winnipeg Blue Bombers maintain interest in Diego Pavia amid NFL negotiations

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers first added Diego Pavia to their negotiation list two years ago when he was still in college. Now, as Pavia enters NFL negotiations as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens, the Blue Bombers have not ruled out bringing him to the CFL.

According to 3DownNation.com’s John Hodge, Winnipeg has engaged in discussions with Pavia’s representatives about a potential move to Canada.

Blue Bombers’ GM on Pavia’s NFL Focus

"[Conversations] picked up a little bit, just educating them [about the CFL]," Winnipeg general manager Kyle Walters told reporters on Wednesday. "[Pavia’s representatives] were fine and receptive . . . but like all guys — guys with much lesser pedigrees than him — we all kind of get the same treatment prior to the NFL draft, which is, politely, 'We’re focused on the NFL and we’ll see what shakes down.'"

Reports suggesting Pavia signed a "three-year deal" with the Ravens refer to the standard term for undrafted free agent contracts, which can be terminated at any time. If his NFL path doesn’t work out, Pavia may need an alternative league option.

Walters: Pavia Talks Are on Hold—for Now

"[H]e is an interesting prospect, and yes, we’ve been in contact with the agent, but it’s just very early, and now that he signed with Baltimore, I don’t think that it’s much of a conversation moving forward at this point," Walters said.

While the Blue Bombers have paused discussions, they have not ruled out Pavia entirely. Walters emphasized the team’s openness to players who evolve over time.

Pavia’s Personality and On-Field Potential

"[Coach] Mike [O’Shea] and I, we’re old and we understand that young guys today change," Walters said. "We’re not like old men yelling at clouds — we understand that young men today are different, and we get that. You’re not going to hold against him for being an individual, as long as it’s not a distraction to the team. . . . He’s got a big personality and he’d make [the communications staff’s] job harder, I’m sure, if he were to sign, but he’s an interesting young man that competes and is confident in himself, which at that position is not a bad thing."

Walters acknowledged Pavia’s strong personality but suggested it wouldn’t be a dealbreaker if it didn’t disrupt team dynamics. The bigger question, he noted, is whether Pavia’s game translates to the next level.

CFL as a Fallback Option

If Pavia’s NFL aspirations don’t pan out, the CFL remains a viable alternative. Walters implied the league’s willingness to provide opportunities to players who don’t succeed in the NFL.

"It's not a bad thing. But at some point the question is how his game translates to the next level. If it doesn't work in the NFL, the CFL is willing to give Pavia an opportunity," he said.