Aaron Rodgers vs Diego Pavia: Who Is More Likely to Be in the NFL in 2026?

By Tyler ErzbergerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.One doesn't want to be anywhere near the spotlight, while the other demands to be under it at all times.Aaron Rodgers is at the end of his professional football career, and Diego Pavia is hoping that his is just beginning.And as we come off the 2026 NFL Draft, where neither Rodgers nor Pavia signed with a team, a fun question has emerged: Who is more likely to actually be in the NFL next season?Rodgers is in a weird will-they-won't-they relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted another young quarterback in the form of Penn State's Drew Allar over the weekend.For Pavia, he wasn't drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent. Instead, he was invited to compete at the Baltimore Ravens minicamp, which, if everything worked out perfectly, might give him a chance to make the roster during training camp.So, who has the better odds of being on an NFL team in 2026?More news: Five Quarterbacks Lead Early Odds for No. 1 Pick in 2027 NFL Draft...More news: Raiders 2026 NFL Draft Grades: Las Vegas Go All-In on Fernando MendozaWeirdly enough, it still feels like Rodgers, who the world hasn't heard from in weeks, and might retire any day now by smoke signal, has the higher chance to be on an NFL roster this upcoming season.Reports out of Pittsburgh say the drafting of Allar hasn't deterred the Steelers' interest in Rodgers, and that they'd still be open to signing him for another season. Rodgers could mentor both Will Howard and Allar in that case, and for a franchise not looking to fully rebuild, he'd be their best option if they want to compete for a postseason spot.Pavia, on the other hand, has the passion and creativity to be in the NFL, but at 5-foot-9 and with mechanics considered below average for a prospect, it seems like a long shot for him to make it onto Baltimore's roster.Like he had to do in college, Pavia might have to swallow his pride and sign for a professional team in the UFL or the CFL to prove his worth once more before grabbing the eye of an NFL team that'll give him a foot in the door.Even though Rodgers seems more likely to play in the NFL in 2026, that won't stop Pavia. If he could go from the New Mexico Military Institute to the Heisman ceremony in New York City, playing in the UFL or CFL doesn't seem nearly as difficult.Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI GuidelinesRelated PodcastsTop StoriesTravel‘Transformative’ Skyscraper To Soar Next to World’s Biggest Railway Station5 min readPoliticsHow ‘Bulletproof’ White House Ballroom Would Change Trump’s Security7 min readPoliticsKing Charles and Donald Trump Wrap First Day of Crunch State Visit9 min readPoliticsThe Plots Against the Presidents4 min readFor MembersAnalysisTrump Is Right—Iran Has No Cards as Blockade Clock Ticks Down to May8 min readGolfLIV Golf Cancels New Orleans Event as Financial Problems Intensify3 min readTrendingOhioSupreme Court Deals Final Blow to Ex-GOP Speaker in $60M Bribery Case4 min readDogsDog Trainer Reveals 5 Signs Your Pup Feels Emotionally Safe at Home3 min readSusan CollinsSusan Collins’ Chances of Losing Senate Seat Hit All-Time High5 min readGreen CardGreen Card Update: Applicants Impacted by Trump Travel Ban Get Legal Win6 min readAmazonAmazon Layoffs Hit 4 States Tomorrow7 min readOpinionOpinionWhy NATO’s Weakest Link Is…

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