Hendon Hooker signing makes possible Jets-Titans QB trade even more obvious

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that the Tennessee Titans are signing former Detroit Lions and New York Jets quarterback Hendon Hooker, bringing the former Volunteer back to the state where he played college football.

Hooker spent the backend of last season with the Jets, serving as the emergency third-string quarterback after Justin Fields was shut down with injury, and the backup behind Brady Cook once Tyrod Taylor went down as well.

The Titans are continuing to load up on quarterback depth. They now have four under contract heading into 2026, including former No. 1 pick Cam Ward, backup Mitch Trubisky, Hooker, and 2023 second-round pick Will Levis.

New York is still putting together their own quarterback room in preparation for next season, and as things currently stand, it could really use someone with experience behind Geno Smith. No Jets fan wants to see Cook take another regular-season snap for the team any time soon.

Could the Hooker signing pave the way for the Jets to swing a trade for Levis, landing the backup quarterback they're looking for?

Hendon Hooker signing clears way for Jets to trade for Will Levis

Levis, the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, is clearly the odd man out on the new-look Titans. He wasn't a draft pick of general manager Mike Borgonzi, and he has no ties to new head coach Robert Saleh or offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

He may be exactly what the Jets need in their new backup quarterback. Levis has real starting experience under his belt, and wouldn't crumble under the pressure of being thrust into the starting spot if Smith goes down with injury.

In 21 career starts, Levis has completed 61% of his passes for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Despite a 5-16 record as a starter, he's only 26, and may still have some upside in him. Who knows what could happen if Frank Reich gets his hands on him?

Maybe he doesn't have a chance of being the long-term starter the Jets are looking for, but he could at least be a steady backup, and maybe even be the mentor for the rookie in 2027 if things with Smith don't pan out.

General manager Darren Mougey seemingly already has a pretty solid working relationship with Borgonzi. They've made two separate trades with each other since Mougey took the Jets job in the Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and T'Vondre Sweat trades.

Levis is arguably the most exciting backup quarterback on the trade market available to the Jets, and if the price is right, they should try to snag him.