Story by
Jets sign Will Levis, release Bailey Zappe in quarterback shakeup
- Story by
- Jets sign Will Levis, release Bailey Zappe in quarterback shakeup
Levis signs
The Jets are giving Will Levis a second chance.
The 2023 second-round pick is signing with the team's practice squad, The Post's Brian Costello confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Take flight with the Jets
Text with Brian Costelloall season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.
Advertisement
The Jets worked out the former Kentucky star earlier this month .
Gang Green are also releasing fellow quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
Levis, 27, is three years removed from a promising rookie season with the Titans. He has battled injuries and lack of success in recent years.
He still believes he's a top quarterback, though.
"There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know that for sure," he said in August . "I know I've put the tape out there already that I'm a dang good quarterback in this league."
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. AP Photo/George Walker IV
Levis started nine games for Tennessee in 2023, throwing eight touchdowns to four interceptions while tallying 1,808 yards in a solid showing.
Advertisement
His career took a turn for the worse the following year, when the Titans went 2-10 in his 12 starts while he threw 13 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
The Titans benched him that year, and then replaced him with Cam Ward , the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.
Levis did not appear in any games last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, further raising uncertainty about his future with the AFC South franchise.
Tennessee ultimately waived him in August as part of roster cuts, ending a tenure that spanned 21 games over three seasons.
New York Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) is tackled by New York Giants defensive lineman Bobby Jamison-Travis (97) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. AP Photo/Adam Hunger
Levis tallied 3,899 passing yards and 21 touchdowns to 16 interceptions while leading Tennessee to a 5-16 record in his starts.
Advertisement
"I'm just trying to make the most of every opportunity that I get," Levis said before being released. "I can't control the reps that I get, and I'm trying to take this time to obviously work on myself but [also] bring along others with me."The reps I've taken before [were] with mainly the ones and twos, and I have the opportunity to work with guys that are really fighting for a roster position now and trying to bring them along and make as many opportunities for them as much as I'm making opportunities for me.
"So, I'm not worried about the competition per se or the amount of opportunities that they're going to give me. I just got to make sure that I'm ready for when they are given to me and just preparing to be the best at that as possible."
He now will try to revitalize his career with the Jets, and he'll sit behind starter Geno Smith and fourth-round rookie backup Cade Klubnik on the team's depth chart.
Advertisement
Many expect the Jets to use one of their three first-round picks in the 2027 draft — their own selection, Indianapolis ' or Dallas ' — on a quarterback.
The Jets made a bunch of other roster maneuvers. DT David Onyemata , LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball and WR Arian Smith are all headed to IR, meaning they'll all miss the next four games. The Jets also signed WR Malik McClain, DE Jack Heflin and LB Troy Reeder to the 53-man roster and — in addition to Levis — added LB Jaden Keller, DL Isaiahh Loudermilk and TE Cody Hardy to the practice squad.
