The New York Jets made a calculated move to bolster their quarterback depth on Tuesday, signing former Tennessee Titans starter Will Levis to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix Sports. In a corresponding roster move, the Jets are releasing quarterback Bailey Zappe, who had been on the practice squad. The transaction, first reported on September 22, 2026, signals the Jets' ongoing search for stability and upside behind center as they navigate a pivotal stretch of the 2026 NFL season.
Levis, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, started 21 games for the Titans across his first two seasons, flashing a cannon arm and dual-threat ability but struggling with consistency and decision-making. He missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery, and Tennessee waived him before the start of the 2026 season. Now, he lands in New York with a chance to reboot his career under the Jets' coaching staff. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Jets view Levis as a high-ceiling project who could develop into a valuable asset if he can regain his pre-injury form.
Why the Jets Made the Move
New York's quarterback room has been a revolving door in recent years, and the addition of Levis represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble. The 27-year-old quarterback possesses prototypical size and arm talent that intrigued scouts coming out of Kentucky, and his experience as a starter in Tennessee provides a level of pedigree that Zappe, a former Patriots backup, could not match. While Levis will begin on the practice squad, his presence immediately intensifies the competition and gives the Jets a potential contingency plan should injuries strike the active roster.
"Levis takes the place of Bailey Zappe, who’s being released," Pelissero reported via social media on Tuesday afternoon.
The move also reflects the Jets' willingness to churn the bottom of their roster in pursuit of upside. Zappe, who spent time with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns before joining New York, is a serviceable depth piece but lacks the physical tools that made Levis a coveted draft prospect. As highlighted on Vulius, the Jets are betting on Levis's talent and their coaching staff's ability to refine his mechanics and decision-making.
What’s Next for Levis and the Jets
For Levis, this is a career lifeline. After a promising rookie season in which he threw for over 1,800 yards and eight touchdowns in nine starts, he regressed in 2024 before the shoulder injury derailed his trajectory. Now, he'll have the opportunity to learn behind the Jets' current quarterbacks and potentially earn a promotion to the active roster. The Jets, meanwhile, continue to evaluate all options as they fight for playoff positioning in a crowded AFC. The practice squad signing is not a headline-grabbing blockbuster, but it's the kind of move that savvy front offices make to cultivate depth and create competition.
Vulius will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as Levis officially joins the Jets and Zappe's next destination emerges. For die-hard fans, the addition of a former SEC standout with something to prove is worth watching closely—especially if he gets a chance to showcase his arm in the coming weeks.
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