The New York Jets are bringing quarterback Will Levis onto their practice squad, making room for the 2023 second-round pick by releasing Bailey Zappe. It’s a move that feels like a low-risk gamble for the Jets, but for Levis, it’s just another chapter in a career that’s been wildly off script since draft night.
From Promising Pick to Practice Squad
Levis came into the league with some serious hype, a 2023 second-round pick, but his time with the Tennessee Titans was a rough ride. In his first two seasons, he made 21 starts, racking up 3,899 yards with 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Those numbers tell only part of the story, though. His tenure in Music City was plagued by some truly inexplicable decision-making that had everyone questioning his on-field judgment. Then came the big hit: Levis missed all of 2025 due to shoulder surgery, and the Titans decided to waive him in August of 2026. This guy’s fall out of the first round was one of the biggest storylines from the 2023 draft, and honestly, he kinda justified all those concerns people had about his game coming out of college. His 25.2 QBR in 2024 was dead last among qualified passers, according to ESPN.com. Yikes. And now, he’s missed a whole year of development time. That’s a huge hurdle to overcome.
A New York Gamble with Questionable Upside
So, what does this mean for New York? Levis is coming in as the Jets’ QB3, behind Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik on the active roster. From the Jets’ viewpoint, bringing him onto the practice squad doesn’t carry much risk. Maybe he’s got some hidden talent he just couldn’t show with the Titans, some secret weapon in his arsenal. And hey, if things get real dicey and they need to elevate a third-stringer to the starting job, at least Levis has some experience in that role. But let’s be real, finding any “hidden upside” for Levis at this point is tough. We’ve seen guys like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones shed the “draft bust” label with a change of scenery, but Levis’s situation feels a little different, especially after that lost year of development. This is a Hail Mary, pure and simple.
What’s at stake here is Levis’s career. He’s clinging to the slimmest of chances to prove he belongs in the league. For the Jets, it’s a no-cost shot at depth, but don’t expect fireworks. This is all about what, if anything, Levis can salvage from a once-promising career.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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