Diego Pavia Reportedly to Visit with Panthers amid Bryce Young Contract Rumors Ahead of NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers could be considering adding another quarterback behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett in the 2026 NFL draft.

Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is visiting the Panthers on Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

The news comes a week after coach Dave Canales indicated to The Athletic's Joseph Person the Panthers are planning to build around "knowing that Bryce is our quarterback."

Pavia was ranked as the No. 242 overall prospect and No. 11 quarterback available in the draft on the latest Bleacher Report big board.

Canales recently told Person the Panthers "can sense a commitment to Bryce being our quarterback."

"We're changing things in our offense to fit Bryce, and we're trying to bring players that will complement what Bryce does... There's not a question of if, but how — how are we gonna build this forward knowing that Bryce is our quarterback?" Canales told Person.

The Panthers have two more years remaining with Young after activating his fifth-year option for the 2027 season.

Panthers EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis told reporters on March 24 that the Panthers were "still evaluating" Young's contract situation, and that the team had not yet discussed an extension with their quarterback.

That could make 2026 a prove-it season for Young, who is currently set to head into the campaign with Pickett as his backup after the Panthers signed him to a one-year deal to replace Andy Dalton in March.

Pavia measured in at 5'-foot-10'10" and 207 pounds the 2026 NFL draft combine, with an arm span of 28 5/8" and a handspan of 9 5/8".

His size was listed as an area of concern by B/R NFL scout Damian Parson, who noted his ability to record 66.3 rushing yards per game last season at Vanderbilt might not translate to the pros.

Parson noted, however, that Pavia could be attractive to teams thanks to his 49 college starts and his "plus-level arm talent" with "above-average velocity in the short."

Pavia was projected by Parson as a sixth- to seventh-round pick. The Panthers are heading into the draft with two fifth-round picks (Nos. 158 and 159) as well as a sixth-rounder (No. 200).

Given that Pickett is on a one-year contract and that Canales has indicated the Panthers are considering re-committing to Young, Carolina could need another backup going forward. How Pavia's visit to Carolina goes on Tuesday could impact whether the franchise sees him potentially developing into that role.