Veteran quarterback brings depth as Jets trim roster ahead of opener
The New York Jets invited quarterback Will Levis for a workout this week as the team prepares for its Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, a move first reported by The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt. With the NFL regular season one week away, the Jets are still seeking low-risk ways to bolster depth at the game's most scrutinized position.
Levis, a 27-year-old who was released by the Titans after the 53-man roster deadline, could fit the bill as a practice-squad addition, according to the report. The Jets already carry Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik atop the depth chart; Bailey Zappe currently figures as the club's other experienced option behind them. New York general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn have both acknowledged room for improvement across the roster, and bringing in a familiar arm for evaluation is a common late-summer step.
"The Jets worked out two QBs today, per source: Will Levis Jack Plummer It'd be for a spot on the practice squad, I'm told." — Zach Rosenblatt (tweet)
The workout underscores two immediate themes for teams finalizing openings before Week 1: short-term needs for experienced insurance, and the desire to find low-cost, low-risk alternatives who can step into a role if injuries or performance force a change.
How Levis would fit in New York
Levis would not displace Smith or Klubnik; rather, his likely role would be to provide experienced depth and day-to-day competition on the practice squad. The reported plan would allow him to refine his mechanics and learn a new system without the pressure of immediate game duty, while giving Jets coaches a veteran option should the situation demand it.
The contrast in starting experience is notable: Levis has 21 career starts to his name, while Bailey Zappe has nine. That difference in game reps could matter to coaches seeking a steady hand if an unexpected vacancy appears.
| Quarterback | Career starts (reported) |
|---|---|
| Will Levis | 21 |
| Bailey Zappe | 9 |
Local resonance and broader context
For readers in Lévis and across Quebec, the storyline carries a light, unavoidable play on words: a player named Levis getting a look from the Jets as the NFL calendar flips to September. Beyond the coincidence, the move is part of a familiar NFL rhythm — teams audition veteran and fringe players in the final days before opening kickoffs to assure themselves of depth and readiness.
New York's reported interest in Levis took place as the franchise finalizes its roster after an active offseason engineered by Mougey. Head coach Aaron Glenn's staff has emphasised competition at nearly every position group; adding Levis to a practice-squad mix would be consistent with that approach.
- Levis worked out for the Jets as teams finalise rosters ahead of Week 1.
- The workout was first reported by The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt and noted two quarterbacks: Will Levis and Jack Plummer.
- Levis has 21 career starts and was released by the Titans after the 53-man deadline; Zappe has nine career starts.
Whether the Jets sign Levis before the opener remains unconfirmed beyond the workout report. Still, the situation illustrates how late-stage additions can change the pecking order quickly and why teams keep a close eye on available signal-callers even as rosters appear to settle.
For local fans who scan headlines, the story is a neat intersection between Quebec place names and a transnational sports market. For the Jets, and for Levis the player, it's a final audition: a chance to show readiness and to provide a team with reassuring depth as regular-season play begins.
