The Kansas City Chiefs have swung a trade to bring in a new backup quarterback for Patrick Mahomes.
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The deal happened in the mid-morning hours of March 16. The AFC West team sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for veteran quarterback Justin Fields. The Chiefs also agreed to take on $3 million of the $10 million guaranteed by Fields' contract.
This move comes after both the Chiefs and Jets saw their quarterback situations change. The Chiefs lost veteran backup Gardner Minshew via free agency as he headed to the Cardinals. This left room for the team to add another backup as Mahomes continues to recover from an ACL and LCL tear suffered in December.
The Jets, for comparison, swung a trade with the Raiders to reunite with Geno Smith. The former Jets draft pick returned after a nine-year separation, and he will compete for the starting job in 2026. This deal essentially ended Fields' time with the Jets after one year.
The former Ohio State quarterback began the 2025 season as the Jets starter after signing a two-year, $40 million contract.
He led the team during the first nine games, and he posted a 2-7 record. He threw for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He rushed for 383 yards and four scores before being benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor.
Prior to joining the Jets, Fields spent three seasons with the Bears after being selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 38 games and posted a 10-28 record.
He then spent one season with the Steelers, first as a six-game starter and then as a backup to Russell Wilson. Fields posted a 4-2 record as a starter before being benched.
Whether Fields sees time on the field depends on the health of Mahomes. If the three-time Super Bowl champion is ready for the start of the season, Fields will remain the backup. If not, he could start some games early in the season.
