Raiders’ QB Future in Focus as Heisman Finalist Diego Pavia Eyes Las Vegas
The 2025 season has been nothing short of a disaster for the Las Vegas Raiders. A campaign that began with talk of contention has unraveled into a 2-11 record and a seven-game losing streak that shows no signs of slowing.
The problems? Take your pick-coaching instability, offensive line struggles, and inconsistent quarterback play have all played a role in the collapse.
The fallout has already begun. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon are out. And with the team spiraling, head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith could be next in line when the offseason house-cleaning begins.
All signs point to the Raiders hitting the reset button in 2026-starting with the most important position on the field. With the team trending toward a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the search for a franchise quarterback is officially on. And one top college prospect has already made it clear: he wants to be part of the Silver and Black’s future.
Diego Pavia: Heisman Finalist, Dual-Threat Star, and Raider Hopeful
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, one of four finalists for this year’s Heisman Trophy, recently named the Raiders as his preferred NFL destination during a Twitch livestream.
“What NFL team do I want to play for? Let me think.
Well, I got a few options,” Pavia said. “One, anywhere that needs a QB, but this is where I would like to go: Las Vegas Raiders, so I can play with Maxx Crosby… He would control the defense.
I would get the offense. And we would win.”
That’s not just a passing comment-it’s a quarterback openly lobbying to lead a struggling franchise, and doing so with confidence and clarity. While Pavia initially hinted at naming five preferred teams, the Raiders were the only one he actually mentioned. For a team that’s spent years searching for its next long-term answer under center, that kind of enthusiasm is worth noting.
A Strong Season in the SEC
Pavia isn’t just talk. He’s coming off a historic season at Vanderbilt, where he led the Commodores to their first-ever 10-win campaign-a remarkable feat considering the level of competition in the SEC.
As a sixth-year senior, Pavia put up big numbers: 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions while completing over 71% of his passes. He added 826 yards and nine scores on the ground, proving himself as a true dual-threat weapon.
That versatility, paired with his leadership and maturity, makes him an intriguing option-especially for a team like the Raiders that needs a spark on both sides of the ball. At 24, Pavia is older than most quarterback prospects, but for NFL decision-makers, age isn’t the red flag it once was. Quarterbacks are playing longer than ever, and experience can be a plus when stepping into a high-pressure situation like the one in Las Vegas.
Draft Day Fit: Raiders and Pavia?
Now, let’s be clear-Pavia isn’t currently projected as a first-round pick. That doesn’t mean he won’t be drafted, or that he can’t develop into a starter at the next level. But it does raise the question: would the Raiders consider taking a flyer on him in the middle rounds, even if they go quarterback early?
That depends on how the front office evaluates him compared to other top prospects like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore-both of whom are younger and projected to go higher. The Raiders may very well be in position to take the first quarterback off the board, something they haven’t done since selecting JaMarcus Russell back in 2007.
Still, Pavia’s public interest in the franchise is a unique twist. It’s not often a high-profile college quarterback singles out a struggling NFL team as his top choice. That kind of confidence and desire to lead a rebuild could resonate with a front office looking to reset the culture.
What Comes Next
With four games left in the season, the Raiders are staring down a lost year-but the opportunity to reshape the future is right in front of them. The coaching staff will likely look different.
The quarterback room almost certainly will. And if Diego Pavia gets his wish, he could be walking into that locker room with a chip on his shoulder and a plan to turn things around.
For now, all eyes are on the draft board and the front office. But one thing’s clear: the Raiders’ search for their next leader under center just got a little more interesting.