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Will Levis Joins Jets as New York Releases Bailey Zappe
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- Will Levis Joins Jets as New York Releases Bailey Zappe
Photo by: Steve Roberts
The New York Jets are making a change to their quarterback room, signing former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis while releasing veteran quarterback Bailey Zappe .
Levis is joining New York 's practice squad after the Jets decided to move on from Zappe. The move gives the Jets another quarterback with starting experience while opening a spot on the roster for Levis.
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Zappe spent the preseason competing for a spot in New York's quarterback room after previously playing for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns . The Jets ultimately decided to release him as they brought Levis into the organization.
Levis was selected by the Titans in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after playing his college football at Kentucky. He eventually became Tennessee's starter and made 21 starts during his first two seasons.
During that stretch, Levis completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Injuries limited his time in Tennessee, and he missed the 2025 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The Titans eventually moved on after selecting Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Levis was released during Tennessee's final roster cuts and went unclaimed on waivers, allowing him to become a free agent.
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Now, Levis gets a fresh opportunity with the Jets.
New York already has veteran Geno Smith leading the quarterback room, along with rookie Cade Klubnik . Levis will initially work from the practice squad, giving him an opportunity to learn the offense and compete for a larger role.
For Zappe, the release marks the end of his short stint with the Jets. The former Patriots quarterback will now have to look for his next opportunity around the league.
The Levis signing is not necessarily a move that changes the Jets' quarterback hierarchy immediately, but it does give the organization another player with NFL starting experience.
For Levis, meanwhile, New York represents a chance to restart his career and prove that he can still become a valuable NFL quarterback.
