The New York Jets signed former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, a second-round draft pick in 2023, to their practice squad Tuesday, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press.
The Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to make room for Levis, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't announced the signing.
The 27-year-old Levis worked out for the Jets earlier this month.
He was released by the Titans last month as part of their final roster cuts.
New York has starter Geno Smith and rookie Cade Kubnik, a fourth-rounder, on its active roster, so Levis would be the third-string quarterback and inactive on game day unless he's promoted from the practice squad.
Levis, who missed all of last season after having shoulder surgery, said in August he thought he was still capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
“There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me,” Levis said. “I know that for sure.”
The former Kentucky star was taken with the second pick of the second round — 33rd overall — in 2023 after the Titans traded up to draft him.
He began his rookie season as the third-stringer behind starter Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis, but later started nine games. Levis entered the 2024 season as the starter, but missed three games and much of a fourth with a sprained AC joint in his right, throwing shoulder.
The Titans, with a new front office, drafted Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the 2025 draft — putting Levis' future with the franchise in doubt.
Levis is 5-16 as a starter with 3,899 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also threw four pick-6s in 2024, the most for the franchise in a season since the then-Oilers relocated to Tennessee in 1997. Levis also had trouble with fumbles, losing five that season.
Zappe, who spent last season with Cleveland, signed with the Jets in the offseason, was among their final cuts last month and re-signed to the practice squad. He has started nine games in the NFL with the Browns and New England Patriots, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Western Kentucky in 2022. Zappe also has had two stints with Kansas City.
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AP Pro Football Writer Teresa Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed.
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