New York

Jets

Joining the Jets would make sense for Levis. The team could be hosting a starting quarterback competition next season, albeit with a player picked early in the first round. A chance to compete should not be overlooked by a player hoping to get things back on track.

The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero notes that the Jets hosted a group workout and are exploring all options at kicker. They already claimed Blake Grupe and re-signed Jason Sanders to their practice squad this week. Tucker worked out for multiple teams last year after serving a 10-game suspension for violating the team’s personal conduct policy. He was never signed and hasn’t kicked in a game since the 2024 season, which was the worst of his career by far. Tucker made just 73.3 percent of his field goal tries.

Jason Sanders, who had won the Jets kicker competition, is instead released to make way for Grupe. As we wrote about Sanders a few days ago: Winning the Jets kicker competition is not an endorsement that provides many fantasy points. Grupe will probably be stuck in the 20s in weekly ranks in most of the Jets games this year.

Cooper “started to show some signs of life by the end” of training camp. The first-rounder will split time with Isaiah Williams in the slot and also operate “as a gadget player.” Keep him out of lineups early, but he is still on the dynasty radar and should be monitored on the waiver wire in shallow leagues.

What this means is that Geno Smith has plenty of job security. Klubnik in the preseason completed 21 of 34, passes for 190 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception while taking four sacks. Klubnik would be a marked downgrade from Smith if the veteran misses time in 2026.

Zappe was unable to win the backup quarterback position — that’s going to rookie Cade Klubnik — but he’ll remain in the organization as the emergency signal-caller behind Geno Smith and Klubnik.

Cook joins starter Malik Willis and recent acquisition Kyle McCord in the pecking order at quarterback for the Dolphins, with the assumption that McCord will serve as the primary backup on game days during the regular season. Either way, Cook now gets a fresh start after four starts across five appearances for the Jets during his rookie season. Tight end Justin Joly also joins the Dolphins after being released by the Broncos. The team kept four tight ends through final cuts, making the path to a roster spot more muddied, but he lands on his feet after being forced to contemplate a potential practice squad spot in Denver. Also claimed were DB Marcellus Dial, T Chukwuebuka Godrick, T Jarrett Kingston, DB Reese Taylor, and DB Julius Wood.

Cook and fellow quarterback Bailey Zappe were let go as a part of the Jets’ final cuts. As a result, they will be keeping two quarterbacks on the active roster, with rookie Cade Klubnik winning the backup job. Also waived/released by the Jets were DB Mory Bamba, WR Junior Bergen, WR Cam Camper, S Dean Clark, DB Jordan Clark, EDGE Anthony Dunn Jr., LB Paschal Ekeji, OL Courtland Ford, G Liam Fornadel, DB Keenan Garber, G Marquis Hayes, DT Jack Heflin, OL Xavier Hill, LB Jaden Keller, Edge Nate Lynn, WR Malik McClain, S Jarius Monroe, DL Payton Page, WR Jamaal Pritchett, WR Quincy Skinner, DL Mazi Smith, DT Junior Tafuna, S Tanner Wall, LB Chase Wilson, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, CB Samuel Womack III, OL Landon Young, QB Bailey Zappe, TE Chase Curtis, TE Connor Hulstein, and RB Dominic Richardson.

The trade was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, who added that the Jets and Raiders are “flopping” 2027 sixth- and seventh-round picks as part of the deal. Meredith started 19 games for the Raiders over the last two years and signed a one-year deal as a restricted free agent in the offseason. Now he’ll head to the Jets, where he’ll serve as much-needed interior offensive line depth.

Reich has reportedly added wrinkles to the offense he deployed as head coach of the Colts and Panthers. At both of those stops his offenses were near the bottom of the league in most basic offensive metrics. Smith, meanwhile, has looked sharp as the team’s starting quarterback throughout training camp and in limited preseason snaps. He’ll look to bounce back from a nightmarish statistical 2025 season in Vegas. Jets players, including Garrett Wilson, told The Athletic that they have enjoyed the “player empowerment” that comes along with Reich’s coaching style and his offensive scheming, which leaves room for improvisation. The Jets offense could be functional as long as Smith, 35, is healthy and upright.