The New York Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad Tuesday, a corresponding move as the team signed former Tennessee Titans starter Will Levis, via the NFL transaction wire.
The 27-year-old Zappe had been with the organization since January, when New York signed him to a reserve/future contract as it began resetting a quarterback room that had grown unstable after Justin Fields’ tenure and Tyrod Taylor’s expected departure.
He was waived at the end of August roster cuts, then brought back to the practice squad on Sept. 1 after losing the backup job to fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik.
Levis, a 2023 second-round pick, worked out for the Jets earlier this month. He spent three seasons in Tennessee, starting 21 games and finishing 5-16 with 3,899 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions before missing 2025 with a shoulder injury. The Titans released him in August.
He will sit behind starter Geno Smith and Klubnik unless promoted.
Zappe’s NFL résumé is thinner but more varied. New England drafted him in the fourth round out of Western Kentucky in 2022 after a record-setting college season.
He appeared in 15 games and started nine across stints with the Patriots and Browns, completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,223 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He also had two brief stops with the Kansas City Chiefs. His last regular-season start came with Cleveland.
The Jets entered 2026 with Smith acquired via trade and a high draft pick expected to address the position long-term. Klubnik’s camp performance elevated him past Zappe and undrafted Brady Cook for the No. 2 spot on the 53-man roster.
Zappe’s practice-squad role was that of an emergency option. Replacing him with Levis gives New York a quarterback who has started more NFL games and possesses a stronger arm, even if consistency and ball security have been issues.
Zappe is now a free agent. He remains available to any team seeking veteran practice-squad depth.
Reports after the release noted the Ottawa Redblacks added him to their CFL negotiation list, though he is expected to pursue remaining NFL opportunities first.
For the Jets, the transaction is another incremental step in a quarterback room that is still a work in progress two weeks into the season. They sit at 1-1 heading into Sunday’s game at Detroit.
The move is typical midseason roster management: a veteran with modest production gives way to a younger former high pick who still has a chance to rebuild his stock.
Zappe’s Jets chapter was short. Levis now gets his shot to stay in the league.
