Will Levis’ Workout With the New York Jets: What It Means for His Career and for a QB Room in Flux

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. From Second-Round Hope to Free Agent: Levis’ NFL Journey
4. The Jets’ Workout: What Happened and Why It Matters
5. Practice Squad as a Career Reset: How a Spot Could Help Levis
6. What Will Levis Needs to Prove: Mechanics, Decision-Making, and Pocket Play
7. Fits and Pathways: Where Levis Could Find a Role
8. Roster and Salary Considerations: Why Teams Take a Chance
9. Precedents: Quarterbacks Who Rebounded After Setbacks
10. The Waiver Process and Timing: What Release on Aug. 31 Means
11. Aaron Glenn and the Jets’ Evaluation Philosophy
12. What Fans Should Expect: Short-Term and Long-Term Scenarios
13. Evaluating Film and Fit: What Coaches Will Look For in Practice
14. The Bigger Picture: What Levis’ Situation Tells Us About QB Development in the NFL
15. How Levis’ Personal Response Matters
16. Potential Timeline: What the Next 3–6 Months Could Look Like
17. What the Jets Gain by Bringing in Levis
18. Key Indicators Scouts and Coaches Will Track
19. Risks and Pitfalls to Watch
20. Closing Thoughts (Without Finality)
21. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Former Titans starter Will Levis worked out for the New York Jets after his Aug. 31 release, joining a short list of veterans auditioning for a practice-squad opportunity.
• Levis arrives as a former second-round pick with clear physical tools but a mixed résumé—3,899 career passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 69 sacks across two starting seasons—and must show rapid improvement in pocket play and decision-making.
• The Jets also hosted kicker Justin Tucker and quarterback Jack Plummer in the same stretch, signaling targeted, low-risk evaluations as the franchise finalizes its roster and developmental depth.

Introduction

A single workout can alter the trajectory of an NFL career. For Will Levis, a former second-round pick whose tenure as Tennessee’s starter ended this summer, a visit to the New York Jets’ facility represents one of those inflection points. Released Aug. 31 and cleared through the waiver process, Levis entered a crowded free-agent market where teams that can offer practice time, coaching attention, and a clear path back to a roster spot will hold outsized appeal.

The Jets’ decision to bring Levis into their building — alongside a kicker of Justin Tucker’s caliber and quarterback Jack Plummer — underlines a pragmatic approach: evaluate players with upside, cheaply and quickly. For Levis, the stakes are straightforward. He can accept a high-profile backup role, a practice-squad slot that keeps him close to a roster, or seek an immediate active-roster opportunity elsewhere. Each path carries trade-offs for development, visibility, and long-term prospects.

This article traces Levis’ arc from promising draft pick to free agent, outlines what the Jets’ workout likely considered, explains how practice-squad and short-term signings serve teams and players, and lays out the adjustments Levis must demonstrate to re-establish himself as an NFL starter contender.

From Second-Round Hope to Free Agent: Levis’ NFL Journey

Will Levis entered the NFL with the attributes teams covet in a modern quarterback: size, arm strength, and the athleticism to extend plays. Those traits made him attractive in the 2020s draft cycles and culminated in a second-round selection by Tennessee. Expectations were that he could grow into a franchise quarterback, but two seasons of starting work presented a starker, more complicated picture.

Levis’ statistical footprint with Tennessee reads as a tale of potential interrupted by protection problems and inconsistent decision-making. Across his two seasons as a starter, he totaled 3,899 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes—13 of those touchdowns coming in 2024—but also absorbed 69 sacks, including 41 in the 2024 campaign alone. Those sack figures signal a combination of factors: offensive-line breakdowns, mobile-but-risk-prone play, and perhaps a tendency to hold the ball too long while searching for big-play opportunities.

Tennessee’s front office responded in 2025 by drafting Cam Ward, the Heisman Trophy finalist from the Miami Hurricanes. Ward’s arrival signaled a new plan for the Titans’ quarterback room, and Levis ceded the starting role shortly thereafter. The move closed a chapter, and Tennessee released Levis Aug. 31. The quarterback expressed gratitude toward the organization on social media, a reminder that player-team relationships can be professional and respectful even when roster decisions change career paths.

Free agency for a young quarterback released late in the preseason is a narrow window. NFL teams have largely set 53-man rosters, and the available spots for developmental QBs are limited. A successful audition — whether for a practice squad or a low-cost active roster backup contract — hinges on more than arm talent. Teams weigh accuracy, processing speed, ball security, and comfort inside a pocket. The Jets bringing Levis in shows at least one team believes his upside deserves a closer look.

The Jets’ Workout: What Happened and Why It Matters

Within 24 hours, the New York Jets opened their doors for multiple high-profile workouts. Kicker Justin Tucker’s visit drew attention because of the kicker carousel many teams face every preseason. Will Levis’ appearance, however, carried an added narrative weight. Tom Pelissero, an NFL insider, reported Levis threw for the Jets on Thursday; The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt noted Jack Plummer also worked out. All three players were auditioning for limited slots, and Levis was clear among them in terms of long-term upside.

This cluster of workouts illustrates how teams use late-summer visits: they perform targeted evaluations, balance short-term roster needs with long-term development, and do so without committing significant salary-cap resources. For quarterbacks specifically, a workout allows the coaching staff to assess how quickly a player ingests the offense, how well he demonstrates mechanics under pressure, and how his physical traits translate to the precision play required at the next level.

For Levis, throwing in front of Aaron Glenn and the Jets’ coaches offered multiple potential gains:

• A clear line of sight into a coaching staff’s commitment to development.
• Immediate feedback on mechanical and decision-making improvements.
• An entry point into the Jets’ plans as an insurance policy or emergency option should injuries strike the QB room.
• The chance to compete directly for a practice-squad spot against other quarterbacks like Jack Plummer.

Teams generally conduct these workouts with an eye for traits that are difficult to teach: size, natural arm strength, and composure. But they are equally attentive to teachable elements: footwork, release consistency, and the ability to process defensive looks quickly. A quarterback who combines both can present a compelling case for being signed to a development slot — even after being cut by another team.

Practice Squad as a Career Reset: How a Spot Could Help Levis

A practice-squad signing is often labeled as a consolation prize, but for quarterbacks under 30, it has repeatedly proven to be a functional reset button. Practice squads offer continuous coaching, game-week reps in a structured offense, and proximity to an active-roster elevation when injuries occur.

What makes the practice squad particularly valuable for someone like Levis:

• Daily Repetition Against a Pro-Level Defense: The chance to practice against NFL-level defenders helps quarterbacks learn to process pressure more quickly. Repetitions against high-caliber pass rushers recreate live-game scenarios without the full consequence of in-game mistakes.
• Continuity With a Coaching Staff: Being inside a system for weeks or months allows quarterbacks to refine mechanics and decision-making with the same coaches, which accelerates learning compared with bouncing between teams.
• Immediate, Low-Risk Path to the Active Roster: Injuries and roster churn across a 17-game season frequently push practice-squad quarterbacks onto the active roster. Once elevated, the quarterback has a chance to translate practice gains to real games.
• Visibility to Opposing Scouts: Staying in one place means more consistent film that designers and scouting departments from other teams can evaluate; a strong showing in practice can attract a team that needs a backup or projects a developmental starter.

Real-world examples show the practice squad can re-launch careers. Quarterbacks who have shifted into starting or meaningful backup roles after developmental stints include Nick Foles — who moved from backup to starter in Philadelphia and parlayed limited opportunities into playoff success — and others who have used a patient approach to rebuild trust with evaluators. Practice squads also accommodate veteran QBs with starting experience who want to reset their value without burning through remaining contract opportunities.

For Levis, the math is simple: a practice-squad slot with a team that trusts his ceiling is better than remaining unsigned, attending sporadic workouts, and losing precious time for correcting technical issues and mastering reads.

What Will Levis Needs to Prove: Mechanics, Decision-Making, and Pocket Play

Levis’ physical tools have never been the core question. The core questions surround his processing speed, pocket discipline, and ball placement. The sack totals during his Titans tenure—69 over two seasons, with 41 in 2024—underline these issues and provide a clear blueprint for areas of improvement.

Mechanics and Release A quarterback with Levis’ arm strength must marry that power to precision. Coaches will want to see consistent release points, a quicker drop-and-throw cycle that reduces the time between catch and release, and improved footwork to create stable platforms on the next throw. Small mechanical gains can shave tenths of a second off the delivery — the difference between a hit on the quarterback and a completed pass.

Decision-Making Under Duress Throws that looked tempting in college or against thin pro competition look different in the NFL. Levis must demonstrate improved processing—quickly identifying dangerous looks like disguised coverages or blitz-heavy alignments and adjusting pre-snap or post-snap to safer targets. Limiting turnovers and risky throws directly increases a coach’s willingness to play a quarterback late in a game or in a pivotal situation.

Pocket Awareness and Mobility Sack totals often reflect a combination of blocking and quarterback movement. For Levis, improving his average time-to-throw and demonstrating better pocket navigation—stepping up, sliding within the pocket, and throwing on the run when necessary—will show teams that he can avoid negative plays without resorting to broken-action attempts that force the offense out of rhythm.

Accuracy and Ball Placement Downfield power without precision is a wasted weapon. Coaches evaluate not just completion percentage but the ability to put the ball away from defenders while keeping it catchable for the receiver. Progressions, timing, and route anticipation all factor into whether a QB’s arm talent translates to efficient production.

Mental Preparation and Film Study A mature approach to film study distinguishes quarterbacks who thrive from those who regress. Players who can articulate defensive tendencies and explain how they adjust in real time demonstrate readiness to be trusted with complex game scripts. Levis’ next coaching stop will gauge whether he can blend his physical gifts with a cerebral approach that mitigates past mistakes.

Fits and Pathways: Where Levis Could Find a Role

Several roster archetypes match Levis’ profile. Each offers different timelines and expectations.

1. Developmental Backup on a Team with Established Starter A team with a franchise-caliber starter and clear QB continuity may want a high-ceiling backup who can be developed slowly. The advantages include time, coaching emphasis, and learning without starter-level pressure. The downside is limited in-game reps.
2. Immediate Backup with a Realistic Path to Starts Teams with an uncertain starting situation might prefer a player like Levis — someone who could start if necessary but who is also cheap and mobile. Here, performance in practice and preseason could rapidly translate into active snaps if the starter struggles or gets injured.
3. Practice Squad Developer This is the path the Jets may be considering: a low-cost, low-risk infusion of upside talent. Practice-squad placement offers the longest runway for development while keeping Levis in close proximity to the club and its coaches.
4. Short-Term Emergency Option Occasionally, teams sign former starters midseason to provide depth for a week or two while evaluating the QB in game situations. This is a short path to action but lacks continuity.

Given the timing of his release and the Jets’ willingness to host his workout, a practice-squad or backup development agreement appears likely. That model provides Levis time to work on pressure situations, reduce sacks, and show improved accuracy.

Roster and Salary Considerations: Why Teams Take a Chance

Signing a former second-round pick who was recently released is a low-risk, potentially high-reward proposition for most rosters. Contract structures for late additions are often minimal: veteran-minimum salaries for backups or week-to-week practice-squad pay that doesn’t commit long-term cap resources.

Teams evaluate the potential upside return on this investment: if a quarterback can be molded into a serviceable starter or credible backup, the cost of signing and developing him pales next to the price of acquiring starting-caliber quarterbacks on the open market. When jobs are lost to injury or a starter is underperforming, a developed internal option can save a team from panicking in free agency.

For the player, the choice is about exposure versus immediate playing time. A practice-squad role on a stable team provides coaching continuity and time to refine technique; a short-term active-roster deal might come with more immediate compensation and game exposure but less developmental attention.

Teams also consider marketplace optics. Adding a player with name recognition like Levis can appeal to fan bases and signal a proactive approach to depth-building. But the primary driver is football judgment: can this quarterback help the team now or down the road?

Precedents: Quarterbacks Who Rebounded After Setbacks

A handful of quarterbacks who faced early-career setbacks went on to meaningful careers. Their routes differ, but the throughline is consistent: targeted development, coaching continuity, and incremental opportunities.

• Nick Foles rose from backup to Super Bowl MVP by taking advantage of limited starts, and his trajectory demonstrates the value of readiness and seizing opportunity. Foles’ path was not linear, but his case shows how a backup can evolve into a postseason difference-maker when timing and preparation align.
• Kurt Warner emerged from nontraditional routes, using arena and European leagues as development platforms before becoming an NFL starter and MVP. Warner’s story is an extreme example but highlights perseverance and continuous improvement.
• Ryan Tannehill (notable for a mid-career resurgence) illustrates how situational fits and system changes can revive a quarterback. After moving teams and working in a new offensive scheme, he regained starter-level performance.

Each of these examples shows variables outside raw talent matter: system fit, coaching, and timing. Levis’ opportunity with the Jets would need similar alignment—coaching that puts him in a structure that maximizes his arm and decision-making growth, alongside a roster context that affords him meaningful reps.

The Waiver Process and Timing: What Release on Aug. 31 Means

When a player with fewer than four accrued seasons is released, he typically passes through the waiver wire, where other teams can claim his contract within a set period (usually 24 hours). If multiple teams put in a claim, the team with the highest waiver priority is awarded the player. If a player clears waivers, he becomes an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any club.

Tennessee released Levis Aug. 31; reporters indicated he cleared waivers and entered free agency. That status allows him greater control over his next destination. A cleared waiver also signals a market assessment: teams viewed him as a developmental or depth option rather than a plug-and-play starter at that moment.

For an agent and player, the immediate work is to find a situation offering both playing-time likelihood and quality coaching. That calculus explains why workouts—like the one with the Jets—become critical. They allow the player to audition specifically within a team’s offense, to build rapport with coaches, and to show improvements in areas flagged by prior performance.

Timing matters: teams finalize their practice squads and finalize the 53-man rosters around this period, but injuries and performance fluctuations across the season guarantee roster turnover. A quarterback patient enough to accept a practice-squad role can leverage midseason disruptions to advance.

Aaron Glenn and the Jets’ Evaluation Philosophy

The Jets’ decision to host Levis suggests a staff willing to evaluate upside, even if it requires time and teaching. Whether Aaron Glenn is in his first or later seasons as head coach, the franchise’s approach—judging by these visits—appears pragmatic: bring in potential upgrades, test fit, and add low-cost options to the depth chart.

Coaching staffs differ on development philosophies. Some favor quarterbacks who fit a rigid schematic profile; others prefer adaptable athletes and tweak the offense to match an evolving QB skill set. For a quarterback like Levis, who possesses prototype size and arm talent, the ideal environment is a staff that prioritizes mechanical polish and simplified reads early, gradually expanding complexity as consistency emerges.

The Jets’ other workouts—kicker Justin Tucker, quarterback Jack Plummer—indicate a staff doing focused, short-form evaluations. That method helps the team crystallize which veteran additions represent immediate upgrades, and which developmental projects might yield future returns.

What Fans Should Expect: Short-Term and Long-Term Scenarios

Fans often want a clear answer: will Levis return to starting form? The reality is a range of plausible trajectories.

Short-term scenarios:

• Practice-squad signing with the Jets: The most likely immediate outcome if the coaching staff liked what they saw. This keeps Levis close to an NFL operation and gives him steady coaching.
• Short-term active-roster pickup by another team: Possible if a team experiences a QB injury and needs experienced depth. This gives Levis a quick chance at meaningful snaps but less guaranteed continuity.
• No immediate signing: Teams may have roster priorities that preclude a signing. In that case, Levis would likely continue to workout for clubs during the season, waiting for an injury or roster opening.

Long-term scenarios:

• Re-establishment as a starter: Less probable in the immediate term but possible if Levis demonstrates major improvements in processing and accuracy across a season or two.
• Career as a high-level backup: A practical and valuable role. Many quarterbacks with strong physical tools become trusted backups who can start when needed.
• Journeyman bridge QB: A productive route for many players who leverage short-term contracts into multi-team careers.

Fans should expect incremental progress rather than instant transformation. The most telling factor will be how quickly Levis reduces negative plays—sacks and turnovers—and demonstrates consistent accuracy. Those improvements will determine whether he evolves into a sustainable starter or a high-ceiling backup.

Evaluating Film and Fit: What Coaches Will Look For in Practice

During a workout and subsequent practices, coaches evaluate both macro and micro elements of a quarterback’s game.

Macro: System Compatibility

• Does the quarterback process defensive fronts quickly?
• Can he operate the playbook efficiently?
• Is he comfortable in both script-driven and ad-lib situations?

Micro: Mechanics and Execution

• Footwork and balance when launching throws.
• Release point consistency under stress and when throwing on the move.
• Ability to throw with touch into intermediate windows and zip into tight seams when necessary.
• Ball security and avoidance of risky throws that target congested areas.

Intangibles play a role as well:

• Leadership and communication with receivers and coaches.
• Film-study habits and the ability to implement coaching corrections.
• Mental resilience after mistakes; does the player make adjustments or repeat errors?

Levis’ audition will be judged by how quickly he translates coaching cues into corrected behavior. Coaches expect initial flaws, but the pace of improvement separates projects from prospects.

The Bigger Picture: What Levis’ Situation Tells Us About QB Development in the NFL

Will Levis’ trajectory underscores larger trends in how teams approach quarterbacks:

• The premium on physical traits remains constant, but decision-making and precision are non-negotiable at the pro level.
• Teams are risk-averse with early-season roster spots, preferring to carry established veterans and allocate developmental time to practice squads.
• The QB market rewards patience. A quarterback sitting and developing with quality coaching often re-enters the market with greater value than one who chases immediate playing time without a developmental plan.
• Front offices are pragmatic: they sign players like Levis not because history guarantees success, but because the cost-benefit equation favors giving an athletic, young quarterback another chance.

Levis’ case is a reminder that talent alone rarely determines long-term NFL outcomes. System, coaching, and opportunity collectively shape a quarterback’s arc.

How Levis’ Personal Response Matters

Professional athletes’ careers hinge not only on talent but on attitude and adaptability. Public responses to roster moves, demeanor during workouts, and interactions with staff reveal a player’s temperament and coachability. Levis thanked the Titans on social media, signaling professionalism and maturity—qualities that franchises prize when considering developmental projects.

How he approaches corrections, integrates film feedback, and maintains consistency in routines will influence coaches’ willingness to invest time. Players who show rapid internalization of coaching cues often rise faster through depth charts than those who rely solely on physical gifts.

Potential Timeline: What the Next 3–6 Months Could Look Like

Weeks 1–4: Immediate evaluations and potential practice-squad signing. If the Jets or another team signs Levis to a practice-squad deal, expect daily installs, position-room coaching, and an incremental expansion of responsibilities.

Weeks 5–12: Midseason churn can open roster spots. If a team’s starter is injured or underperforms, Levis may get elevated for practice rep weeks or even an emergency active-roster promotion.

Months 3–6: With consistent coaching and positive practice tape, Levis could attract interest from teams seeking a low-cost backup with upside. The longer he remains in a system and displays growth, the higher his chances of securing a multi-year backup contract or competing for a starting role in the following offseason.

Patience and steady improvement matter. Quick turnarounds are rare; sustained, measurable gains often determine a quarterback’s next contract offer.

What the Jets Gain by Bringing in Levis

From a Jets perspective, bringing Levis in allows the franchise to:

• Evaluate a high-upside arm without roster sacrifice.
• Potentially add a developmental piece who could serve as a contingency starter.
• Demonstrate to the fan base that the team is actively addressing depth and future planning.
• Provide competitive pressure during training and practices; internal competition sharpens all quarterbacks on the roster.

For a team that must balance immediate competitiveness with future roster construction, these workouts are low-cost methods to acquire optionality.

Key Indicators Scouts and Coaches Will Track

If the Jets or another team considers adding Levis, they will monitor these indicators over time:

• Time-to-throw reduction and fewer sacks attributed to the quarterback’s hold time.
• Improved completion percentage to intermediate routes and reduced turnover-worthy throws.
• Consistency of release point and footwork, particularly on third-down and under-pressure reps.
• Mental processing speed in recognizing coverage and executing the correct progression.
• Leadership qualities in huddles and meetings.

Scouts will use both practice tape and any in-game snaps to evaluate whether improvements translate to performance.

Risks and Pitfalls to Watch

Several risks temper optimism about a midseason signing:

• A quarterback can show flashes in workout settings without translating them to game speed.
• Practice-squad comfort can delay a player’s exposure to real-game chaos, reducing immediate readiness.
• Repeated roster moves and lack of continuity across teams can impede long-term development.
• Feedback loops: if a player does not act on coaching cues quickly, a team may pivot to a different developmental target.

Teams mitigate these risks by choosing environments that match a player’s learning profile and by setting realistic, measurable benchmarks.

Closing Thoughts (Without Finality)

Will Levis’ Jets workout is more than a routine audition. It represents a crossroads for a player whose physical profile has long suggested untapped upside. The critical factors going forward are measurable improvement in technique, demonstrated decision-making under pressure, and a willingness from a coaching staff to provide time and structure.

For teams like the Jets, late-summer workouts are a necessary part of roster building: evaluate upside cheaply, pick promising developmental projects, and create depth that can matter across the long NFL season. For Levis, the path back to steady NFL relevance begins in practice — and the right environment could convert raw tools into reliable production.

FAQ

Q: Why did the Jets bring Will Levis in for a workout? A: The Jets pursued low-risk evaluations of players with upside as they finalize roster depth. Levis, as a former second-round pick with notable arm talent, presented a potential developmental option for a practice-squad or backup role.

Q: What does clearing waivers mean for Levis? A: Clearing waivers after his Aug. 31 release means Levis became an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team. Clearing waivers gives the player and agent more control over the next destination.

Q: How significant are Levis’ 69 sacks over two seasons? A: The sack totals highlight a combination of offensive-line issues, and quarterback tendencies such as holding the ball too long or failing to navigate the pocket effectively. Reducing sack numbers requires mechanical tweaks, faster processing, and better pocket movement.

Q: Is a practice-squad spot a good option for Levis? A: Yes. For young quarterbacks, practice squads offer coaching continuity, consistent repetitions against pro-level defenses, and a clear path to being elevated to the active roster when opportunities arise.

Q: What would Levis need to show to earn a roster spot? A: Consistent improvements in release timing, accuracy, decision-making under pressure, reduced turnovers, and demonstrable progress on coaching corrections during practice would all support a roster claim.

Q: Could Levis become a starter again? A: It’s possible, but it would require sustained improvement over time. A realistic near-term path is re-establishing himself as a high-level backup or a developmental quarterback who becomes a starter through incremental gains and the right team fit.

Q: What are examples of quarterbacks who rebounded after setbacks? A: Nick Foles is an example of a quarterback who leveraged backup opportunities into a Super Bowl MVP performance. Kurt Warner’s route to stardom, while nontraditional, demonstrates how alternative development pathways can lead to elite success.

Q: How will the Jets decide between Levis and other quarterbacks who auditioned? A: The decision will rest on evaluations of in-person workouts, practice habits, teachability, and whether the player’s skills mesh with the coaches’ offensive scheme. Cost and roster needs will also influence the choice.

Q: Does this workout guarantee Levis a contract? A: No. Workouts are evaluations. A contract depends on how he performed, the team’s assessment of fit, and roster and salary-cap considerations.

Q: What should fans watch for next? A: Look for announcements of practice-squad signings, active-roster additions due to injury or performance, and any follow-up reports from team insiders on Levis’ progress. Continued presence in a team system and clear, measurable improvements would be the strongest indicators of forward momentum.