The Kansas City Chiefs are addressing their quarterback depth by acquiring Justin Fields from the New York Jets, according to multiple reports. In exchange, Kansas City is sending New York a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, while the Jets will absorb $7 million of Fields' $10 million guaranteed salary for the 2026 season.
The move comes after a turbulent 2025 campaign for Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury, forcing the Chiefs to lean on backup quarterbacks Gardner Minshew II and Chris Oladokun. The team ended the season with just six wins, having dropped eight of their final nine games, a stark contrast to their recent run.
Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, will join his fourth team in as many years. He began his career with the Chicago Bears, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2024, then signed with the Jets last offseason.
Over 59 career games, Fields has thrown for 9,039 yards and 52 touchdowns. In nine starts for New York in 2025, he posted 1,259 passing yards and seven scores while going 2-7.
With Mahomes' recovery status uncertain, the Chiefs now have a capable option under center should he not be cleared in time for the start of the 2026 season.
