Jets sign ex-Titans QB Will Levis, release Bailey Zappe

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets added a former starter to their quarterback room, signing Will Levis to their practice squad Tuesday.

Levis, who worked out for the Jets before Week 1, went 5-16 as the Tennessee Titans' starter in 2023 and 2024 before missing last season due to shoulder surgery.

A second-round pick (33rd overall) in 2023, Levis was considered the Titans' quarterback of the future but was undone by turnovers. He was replaced by Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025.

In a corresponding move, the Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe (nine career starts) from the practice squad. Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik are on the active roster.

Levis, 27, became available when he was cut by the Titans at the end of the preseason. They decided to go with Ward and Mitchell Trubisky as their top two quarterbacks.

"There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know that for sure," Levis said in the preseason. "I know I've put the tape out there already that I'm a dang good quarterback in this league."

Levis showed some promise as a rookie, throwing eight touchdowns and four interceptions in nine starts. But, in 2024, he won only two of 12 starts and had almost as many interceptions (13) and touchdown passes (12), prompting then-coach Brian Callahan to bench him late in the year.

In the 2026 preseason, Levis completed 21 of 39 passes for 200 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Jets, meanwhile, were hit hard by injuries in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers, prompting them to place three players on injured reserve -- starting defensive tackle David Onyemata (groin), wide receiver Arian Smith (knee) and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball (ankle).

To replace their roster spots, the Jets signed linebacker Troy Reeder, wide receiver Malik McClain and defensive tackle Jack Heflin.