Jets Bring in Will Levis and Jack Plummer for Workouts After Naming Cade Klubnik No. 2 — What the Moves Mean for Gang Green’s QB Depth

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Why the Jets auditioned Levis and Plummer
4. Will Levis: upside, pitfalls, and what he brings
5. Jack Plummer and the UFL-to‑NFL pipeline
6. Practice squad logic: why one backup on the roster and extra depth elsewhere
7. What signing either quarterback would mean for Klubnik and Smith
8. Roster mechanics, salary considerations, and eligibility
9. Alternate‑league success stories and lessons for scouting
10. Scenarios and probabilities: how the next month might play out
11. How this decision fits into wider NFL quarterback roster trends
12. Player perspectives: why Levis or Plummer might accept a Jets practice‑squad role
13. Coaching and offensive implications if one of them gets promoted
14. Evaluating the decision from a fan and organizational standpoint
15. Matching skill sets to likely Jets offensive needs
16. Evaluating long‑term outcomes for Klubnik’s career arc
17. The leaguewide ripple effect and quarterback market dynamics
18. Practical takeaways for Jets fans and observers
19. FAQ

Key Highlights

• The New York Jets have affirmed rookie Cade Klubnik as the No. 2 quarterback behind Geno Smith while bringing in Will Levis and Jack Plummer for workouts to audition for practice‑squad depth.
• Will Levis enters as an ex‑NFL starter with inconsistent production and recent release; Jack Plummer arrives off a UFL MVP season, illustrating how alternative leagues are feeding NFL depth charts.
• The likely outcome is a veteran or alternative‑league passer signed to the practice squad as insurance and development fodder — a low‑risk move that preserves Klubnik’s roster spot while bolstering emergency depth.

Introduction

The Jets have locked their short‑term quarterback hierarchy: Geno Smith remains the starter and rookie Cade Klubnik will occupy the single backup roster spot. That clarity has not prevented the team from auditioning additional options. New York brought in Will Levis and Jack Plummer for workouts, signaling a search for inexpensive, short‑term depth that can live on the practice squad and be elevated if injury or performance concerns arise.

These signings — or, more accurately, workouts — reflect a broader roster logic common across the league: maintain confidence in a defined two‑man QB room for gameday while stacking the practice squad with experienced or high‑upside passers. The Jets’ approach balances roster economy, developmental patience, and contingency planning. Evaluating the two prospects the club brought in helps explain why they were considered, what each might offer, and how their potential addition would affect Klubnik, Geno Smith, and the offense.

Why the Jets auditioned Levis and Plummer

NFL teams run countless background checks on quarterbacks. Most workouts do not produce headline signings; they produce information. The Jets’ decision to audition two markedly different QBs — Will Levis, a former first‑round starter with NFL game tape, and Jack Plummer, an undrafted passer who just won MVP honors in the UFL — reflects several precise needs.

First, insurance. Modern NFL seasons demand immediate depth at quarterback. Injuries or ineffectiveness can force an emergency elevation with little notice. Teams that attempt to carry three quarterbacks on the 53‑man roster incur opportunity costs at other positions. Naming Klubnik the lone backup signals confidence in him, but coaches still want experienced hands they can call upon without disrupting the roster. A practice‑squad veteran or an alternative‑league standout fits that bill.

Second, development. The practice squad affords extra reps against the first‑team defense, which helps a young QB progress. Keeping a veteran practice‑squad quarterback lets coaches evaluate Klubnik against higher competition in practice and provides mentorship. The Jets’ staff can use a veteran’s presence to temper rookie growing pains without sacrificing the roster spot Klubnik earned.

Third, low financial and roster risk. Signing a player to the practice squad or a minimal contract avoids long‑term commitment. It enables the team to respond quickly if a problem arises while preserving flexibility. For both Levis and Plummer, the workout was an audition for a role that rarely makes headlines but provides tangible value if called upon.

Will Levis: upside, pitfalls, and what he brings

Will Levis presents a familiar NFL narrative: a physically gifted quarterback whose measurable traits promise franchise potential but whose on‑field results have been uneven.

Background and NFL résumé Levis started nine games as a rookie in 2023 for the Tennessee Titans, totaling 1,808 passing yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He saw more playing time the following season but produced 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 12 starts, culminating in a 5‑16 record as Tennessee’s starter. He was released following the most recent preseason, making him available for teams seeking an auditionable veteran with starter experience.

Strengths

• Physical tools: Levis has an NFL‑caliber arm — velocity and the ability to make throws from different platforms. That arsenal opens up deep‑shot concepts and off‑platform improvisational opportunities.
• Mobility and size: He can extend plays, escape pressure, and pick up yards with his legs, creating another dimension for play‑calling.
• Starter experience: Teams value game tape. Levis has faced NFL defenses regularly, providing evaluators with a track record they can parse rather than pure scouting reports.

Questions and limitations

• Decision‑making under pressure: Levis’ interception rate and game management in marginal situations raised red flags. NFL defenses capitalize on forcing predictable reads or forcing QBs to rush decisions.
• Consistency: His statistical production varied, and the drop from rookie to second year suggests either schematic mismatch or failure to progress as expected.
• Fit and concept mastery: Modern offenses ask quarterbacks to process complex reads, execute quick timing throws, and lead high‑tempo schemes. A team evaluating Levis needs to be convinced he can assimilate their system quickly or that coaching can unlock missing elements.

Why the Jets might want Levis Given his arm and experience, Levis is an attractive practice‑squad or short‑term bench option. He would provide an experienced body to run scout team reps and be available as an emergency elevation. For offensive coaches, practicing against a veteran with starter reps sharpens defensive preparation and gives Klubnik a seasoned foil in practice.

The downside is opportunity cost: Levis’ salary and practice‑squad eligibility could be consumed by another position if the team prefers that versatility. Additionally, signing a former starter requires patience; expectations should be calibrated to a role as a developmental emergency option rather than a plug‑and‑play solution.

Jack Plummer and the UFL-to‑NFL pipeline

Jack Plummer’s arc — undrafted free agent to UFL MVP — embodies how alternate leagues have become credible pipelines for NFL talent. Plummer spent time on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad before moving to the United Football League, where he posted 2,188 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games and was named league MVP.

Why the Jets evaluated Plummer

• Recent production: A UFL MVP season indicates command of the offense, accuracy, and a capacity to manage a pro-style scheme, even if the level of competition differs from the NFL.
• Developmental profile: Plummer is younger and likely more malleable than a veteran like Levis. He can ingest coaching concepts on the practice field with an eye toward long‑term upside.
• Cost and roster flexibility: Signing Plummer to the practice squad makes sense financially and roster-wise. He can be stashed, developed, and elevated for emergency duty without the baggage of starter expectations.

What his UFL MVP season demonstrates Alternative leagues offer game reps that carry a different kind of value than practice repetitions. Success in those environments suggests:

• Consistent execution against live defenses.
• The ability to lead a huddle and manage in‑game adjustments.
• Mental resilience — players who bounce back after going undrafted, or who perform under the expectation of being evaluated closely, often have traits coaches prize.

Limitations of translating UFL success to the NFL

• Competition level: The jump in defensive talent and disguise packages from the UFL to the NFL is substantial. Evaluation must consider whether Plummer’s timing, pocket navigation, and anticipation scale up.
• System fit: Plummer’s success may reflect the UFL offensive system; coaches must determine whether his mechanics and decision tree align with the NFL offense he would be asked to learn.
• Sample size: While 10 games provide useful tape, NFL evaluators will want to see playbook grasp, route‑timing accuracy against NFL coverages, and the ability to handle NFL pass rushes.

The broader significance Plummer’s presence on the workout list underscores a strategic shift: alternative leagues are no longer fringe avenues — they are viable talent pools. Teams increasingly view those leagues as proving grounds where young QBs can refine processing speed, accuracy, and leadership without occupying scarce roster spots.

Practice squad logic: why one backup on the roster and extra depth elsewhere

The Jets’ decision to stick with a two‑man gameday quarterback structure — Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik — while exploring practice‑squad candidates is a practical roster management choice, grounded in both rules and strategy.

Roster size and opportunity cost A 53‑man roster forces teams into tradeoffs. Each roster spot given to a third QB is one not given to a defensive lineman, linebacker, offensive lineman, or special teams ace. Coaches must assess the probability of a QB injury versus the immediate, guaranteed utility of an additional experienced position player.

Psychology and rookie development Installing Klubnik as the clear No. 2 offers him clarity and a defined role: learn the system, absorb coaching, and prepare as the primary backup while not being buried on the depth chart. That clarity accelerates his development by providing consistent reps with the ones and twos rather than sporadic appearances behind a rotating cast.

Practice squad functions

• Emergency depth: A practice‑squad QB can be elevated on short notice when injuries occur.
• Development: They provide high‑quality live reps against the starter’s defense, which is crucial for learning timing and handling faster defensive looks.
• Mentorship and competition: A veteran or alternative‑league QB can mentor a rookie and push him in practice, sharpening decision‑making and situational awareness.

Operational mechanics Teams can elevate practice‑squad players temporarily for gameday or sign them to the active roster if a need arises. The exact number of allowed elevations and the salary structure varies by year and collective bargaining agreements, but the principle remains: practice‑squad depth offers flexible insurance without sacrificing a 53‑man spot.

What signing either quarterback would mean for Klubnik and Smith

Adding Levis or Plummer to the practice squad would not dethrone Klubnik as the No. 2. Instead, it would create a triage system: Geno as the starter, Klubnik as the rostered backup, and the newly signed passer as contingency insurance.

For Klubnik

• Increased competition in practice could accelerate his learning curve. Facing a seasoned passer or a hot hand from an alternative league forces him to tighten mechanics and decision speed.
• Psychological clarity: Klubnik keeps the active roster role and the game‑day responsibilities of the backup, maintaining continuity.
• Opportunity cost: If a team prefers to keep a more experienced backup on the 53‑man roster in the future, Klubnik’s grip on the second spot would be tested by performance or injury.

For Geno Smith

• A practice‑squad veteran increases practice quality, allowing the starter to be measured against varied styles in extended scrimmage reps.
• The presence of an experienced QB who can be elevated on short notice reduces organizational anxiety about emergency scenarios.

For the offense

• Coaching staff gains a live portfolio of different styles to prepare for: a big‑armed, improvisational Levis or an accurate, timing‑based Plummer.
• Gameplan continuity remains intact while affording the staff options in case of sudden change.

Roster mechanics, salary considerations, and eligibility

Any move to add Levis or Plummer involves short‑term financial and roster mechanics.

Contract types

• Practice‑squad contracts: These are week‑to‑week arrangements that pay less than active‑roster deals but provide stability for players and flexibility for teams.
• Futures/reserve contracts: Often used at season’s end or during the offseason to lock a player for the next year’s 90‑man roster.
• Active‑roster contracts: Signed when a team needs immediate help on the 53‑man roster.

Financial risk Bringing in either QB for the practice squad represents minimal financial exposure. It allows the team to evaluate without committing to guaranteed money or long‑term obligations.

Eligibility and limitations Practice‑squad rules have evolved to allow veteran players and multiple elevations per season, but teams must navigate the specifics of eligibility, elevation windows, and the risk another club may sign a practice‑squad QB to its active roster. A player can be poached by another team for a 53‑man spot, which creates both an opportunity for the player and a potential loss for the original team.

Strategic responses Teams often use this risk to their advantage. By signing a player to the practice squad, a team gains the right of first refusal and time to observe. If another club attempts to sign the player away, the originating team can offer a promotion to keep him.

Alternate‑league success stories and lessons for scouting

History shows multiple pathways to NFL relevancy, and alternative leagues have become legitimate stages for evaluation.

Kurt Warner: a touchstone example Warner’s path from Arena Football to NFL stardom is the archetype. His A‑level success in smaller leagues forced NFL teams to reckon with his processing, accuracy, and poise. While Warner’s story is exceptional, it established a blueprint: live game reps against competent competition can produce NFL starters.

P.J. Walker and the XFL P.J. Walker’s time in the XFL raised his profile and led to NFL opportunities where he served as a starter and backup for multiple teams. His example demonstrates that scouts increasingly treat performance in alternative leagues as credible evaluative material.

Taylor Heinicke and late‑blooming routes Heinicke’s career involved multiple detours and stints outside of established starting roles. He eventually parlayed persistence and situational success into NFL starts and a reputation as a capable veteran backup. His journey underscores the value of continuous competition and seizing opportunities when healthy rosters crack.

Scouting takeaways

• Live performance matters. Practice looks and workouts have limits; game situations reveal processing and adaptation.
• Coaching context matters. A QB thriving in a pro‑style offense carries more transferable skills than one schemed heavily toward high‑release quick game concepts.
• Mental makeup and leadership are equally important. The ability to command a huddle, respond to adversity, and internalize coaching separates candidates.

Scenarios and probabilities: how the next month might play out

Several plausible paths emerge from these workouts. Each has different implications for roster construction and team flexibility.

Scenario A — Practice‑squad signing (most likely) The Jets sign either Levis or Plummer to the practice squad. Klubnik remains the active backup. The team gains depth with low commit­ment and can elevate the practice‑squad quarterback if injury or poor play forces a change. This scenario preserves roster flexibility and aligns with Aaron Glenn’s statement about Klubnik being the No. 2.

Scenario B — Short‑term active‑roster pickup If an injury occurs elsewhere on the roster and the Jets have a temporary opening, they might sign a veteran QB like Levis to the 53‑man roster. This would likely be a stopgap, and the team would need to weigh which roster spots to sacrifice. A short‑term active signing would signal a greater lack of confidence in Klubnik or an urgent health concern for Geno.

Scenario C — No signing, continued monitoring The Jets could decide not to sign either player immediately, preferring to keep options warm and monitors in place. Teams often decline to sign right away, then move when injuries or market shifts occur.

Scenario D — Shop window and poaching risk If the team signs a QB to the practice squad and he performs well in training, other teams might attempt to sign him to their active rosters. The Jets would need to decide whether to promote him or accept the loss.

Given roster strategy and the statements from the coaching staff, Scenario A is the most probable immediate outcome.

How this decision fits into wider NFL quarterback roster trends

Across the league, teams increasingly favor a single active backup supplemented by practice‑squad depth. Several forces drive this trend:

• Roster efficiency: With limited active spots, teams optimize for positions that touch the ball most frequently on a gameday basis.
• Specialized roles: Backup quarterbacks seldom play unless injury occurs; teams therefore weigh whether a third QB’s value justifies an active roster spot.
• Alternative reservoirs of talent: Leagues like the XFL, USFL, and UFL provide a constant pipeline of players with recent game tape. That makes it easier to treat practice squads as the primary reserve for emergency situations.

This strategic logic elevates the importance of scouting and quick decision cycles. Teams that can identify mid‑season contributors in alternative leagues and integrate them promptly gain a roster advantage.

Player perspectives: why Levis or Plummer might accept a Jets practice‑squad role

For both players, joining the Jets on the practice squad has tangible benefits.

For Will Levis

• Reestablish NFL credibility: A situational role in a high‑visibility market offers the chance to correct past mistakes and demonstrate growth.
• Coaching resources: Working with NFL coaches and practicing against a top defense provides a platform to refine timing and decision‑making.

For Jack Plummer

• Pathway to NFL: The UFL offered recent success; the Jets provide a direct route back to the NFL structure and visibility within a playoff‑caliber organization.
• Developmental coaching and situational reps: Practice squads give consistent, structured development that alternative leagues might not match in terms of schematic fidelity to NFL offenses.

For both

• Marketability: A strong showing in practice can lead to elevation, a week‑by‑week promotion, or interest from other teams. Practice squads are stepping stones as much as safety nets.

Coaching and offensive implications if one of them gets promoted

Promoting a practice‑squad QB has immediate strategic implications.

Scheme simplification and play‑calling If a less experienced promotion is necessary, coaches often narrow the playbook to focus on high‑percentage concepts, play‑action on manageable reads, and a robust run game. The offensive coordinator’s approach will depend on the player’s strengths: for Levis, more vertical concepts and designed mobility; for Plummer, timing and intermediate accuracy.

Protection schematics Backup QBs thrust into games require tailored protection schemes to mitigate their pocket navigation weaknesses. Quick‑release passing concepts, max‑protection packages, and schemed rollouts reduce the chance of big mistakes.

Special teams and situational play Unexpected quarterback changes can affect clock management, red‑zone efficiency, and two‑minute drills. Coaches drill these situations in practice to maintain organizational readiness.

Evaluating the decision from a fan and organizational standpoint

Fans often want certainty and immediate competition, but front offices must balance long‑term development against short‑term needs.

From a fan perspective

• The presence of NFL‑experienced and hot‑hand alternative‑league QBs should be reassuring. It signals proactive depth building.
• Naming Klubnik the official backup provides a storyline — the rookie will get meaningful reps and watchful coaching.

From an organizational standpoint

• This approach preserves roster flexibility, limits financial exposure, and keeps developmental continuity intact.
• It also preserves the ability to pivot if injuries occur or if Klubnik’s performance demands reevaluation.

Matching skill sets to likely Jets offensive needs

Assessing how either QB would fit into the Jets’ offensive identity requires an understanding of schematic priorities — quick timing, vertical threats, protection schemes, and play‑action balance.

Will Levis

• Fits a vertical‑threat concept given his arm strength.
• Could complement a pass‑heavy system by adding downfield stretch.
• Needs coaching on processing speed and decision making reads, particularly against disguised coverages.

Jack Plummer

• Fits a timing‑based approach with better accuracy metrics in the UFL context.
• Could be comfortable in quick‑hitting rhythm passing and play‑action schemes that emphasize structure and anticipation.
• May translate more cleanly to a system that prizes accuracy and timing over pure arm strength.

Coaches will weigh those proclivities against the Jets’ offensive personnel and play design. Ultimately, the intent is not to find a perfect long‑term fit but to secure a competent emergency option that can be developed.

Evaluating long‑term outcomes for Klubnik’s career arc

Putting Klubnik firmly in the backup role opens several developmental windows:

Accelerated learning

• Consistent practice reps against the first team will force him to process faster and handle higher‑quality looks, compressing his learning trajectory.

Pressure management and game readiness

• Klubnik will be in a position where game readiness matters. Coaches can plan to give him situational snaps or extend his exposure in preseason to accelerate readiness.

Marketability

• A rookie who spends a full season as the primary backup and shows steady improvement enhances his trade and negotiation value. Teams that observe his growth can project greater future roles.

Risk of stagnation

• Limited live game opportunities can hamper development if not supplemented with targeted coaching and transparent performance metrics. The organization must balance restraint with intentional development plans.

The leaguewide ripple effect and quarterback market dynamics

Every roster move creates ripple effects. The Jets’ workouts may influence how other teams manage their own QB depth.

Supply and demand for QBs

• As more teams monitor alternative leagues, the supply pipeline grows. Teams that act quickly can secure proven performers.
• The demand for experienced, inexpensive QBs who can be elevated quickly remains steady.

Scouting emphasis

• Front offices are placing higher premiums on game tape from alternative leagues, mental processing metrics, and coachability. Pro days and private workouts will increasingly focus on cognitive testing and rapid assimilation drills.

Player career strategies

• Players like Plummer may view alternative leagues as strategic career steps rather than fallback options. Winning and earning individual awards there can translate directly into NFL opportunities.

Practical takeaways for Jets fans and observers

• Confidence in Klubnik as the No. 2 is meaningful; the organization signaled its intent to develop him rather than rotate multiple backups late into preseason.
• The workout of Levis and Plummer should be read as prudent contingency planning, not as immediate threats to Klubnik’s role.
• Signing either player to the practice squad would be a low‑risk, high‑utility move designed to provide emergency depth and practice competition.
• The Jets are following a modern NFL blueprint: limit active backup carryover on the 53‑man roster while cultivating robust, evaluable talent on the practice squad and in alternative leagues.

FAQ

Q: Why did the Jets name Cade Klubnik the No. 2 but still workout other quarterbacks? A: Naming Klubnik the No. 2 clarifies the active gameday depth chart and supports his development. Working out other quarterbacks allows the team to establish inexpensive, low‑commitment contingency options that can be placed on the practice squad or elevated if injuries occur.

Q: Is Will Levis likely to join the Jets’ 53‑man roster? A: The most probable role for Levis would be the practice squad rather than the active roster, given the team’s explicit statement that Klubnik is the backup. A 53‑man signing is possible only if injuries or other roster moves create an urgent need.

Q: How does the practice squad help a team at quarterback? A: Practice‑squad quarterbacks provide emergency depth, live reps against the first team, developmental coaching time, and a pool of talent that can be elevated. They allow the roster to preserve spots for other positions while still maintaining quarterback insurance.

Q: What does Jack Plummer’s UFL MVP award mean for his NFL prospects? A: It indicates recent success in game situations, leadership ability, and on‑field production. While the competition level differs from the NFL, his MVP season gives evaluators relevant tape showing consistency and decision making under pressure.

Q: Can another team sign practice‑squad quarterbacks away from the Jets? A: Yes. Other teams can sign practice‑squad players to their active rosters, subject to certain contract and timing rules. That creates competition for promising practice‑squad performers and can lead to quick promotions elsewhere.

Q: Are alternative leagues a reliable source of NFL quarterbacks? A: Alternative leagues increasingly serve as evaluation grounds and developmental platforms. While not every standout translates to NFL success, they provide recent game tape and developmental proof points that NFL teams value.

Q: What would prompt the Jets to promote a practice‑squad quarterback? A: Injuries to Geno Smith or Klubnik, sustained poor performance by the starter or backup, or an opportunity created by roster movement could prompt a promotion. Coaches may also elevate a player temporarily for matchup or developmental reasons.

Q: Does bringing in these quarterbacks indicate a lack of faith in Klubnik? A: Not necessarily. The organization explicitly named Klubnik the backup and emphasized confidence in him. Working out additional quarterbacks is standard procedure to ensure depth and maintain readiness in a position that tolerates no mistakes when injuries occur.

Q: How should fans interpret these workouts? A: As prudent roster management. Fans should view workouts as teams vetting emergency options; these moves provide depth and reduce the risk of being caught short in the event of injury while keeping the developmental trajectory for Klubnik intact.

Q: What should I watch for next? A: Look for whether the Jets sign either QB to the practice squad and how long the player remains with the organization. Preseason practice reports and early‑season injuries will drive subsequent decisions. Also watch Klubnik’s practice reps and any comments from coaching staff regarding his readiness.

The Jets’ workouts of Will Levis and Jack Plummer are small transactions with meaningful implications. They reflect deliberate roster construction: preserve a clear backup role for the rookie Klubnik, secure low‑risk emergency options, and leverage alternative leagues and veteran availability to maintain depth. For fans and analysts, the moves offer clarity about organizational priorities: develop the rookie, protect the starter, and hedge the season with practical contingency planning.