Justin Fields didn’t choose the Kansas City Chiefs, so his thoughts on playing second-fiddle to three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes are of interest around the NFL.
The former No. 11 overall selection of the Chicago Bears in 2021 and a 53-game starter across his five professional seasons, Fields inked a two-year contract worth $40 million total to join the New York Jets ahead of the 2025 campaign. He started nine games in New York (2-7) last season before the team dealt him to Kansas City in March for a sixth-round pick next year.
Mahomes suffered an ACL tear in Week 15 of last season, which could sideline him for approximately a month to begin the upcoming campaign. As such, Fields could end up starting anywhere between 1-5 games for the Chiefs to open the season, assuming Mahomes doesn’t experience any setbacks.
However, once Mahomes returns healthy, the two-time MVP is going to resume QB1 duties and force Fields back to the bench. That means Fields will experience beginning his third straight year as the starter before the coaching staff decides to go a different route, despite no injury issues forcing Fields to the sidelines.
Fields spoke about meeting Mahomes and his interactions with him since joining the Chiefs locker room during an interview with reporters on Tuesday, April 21.
“We, of course, knew of each other, but we didn’t really communicate before coming here. So I’m excited to learn from him,” Fields said. “I’m already kinda picking his brain a little bit and just observing how he goes about things in the meeting room, on the field, stuff like that.”
Andy Reid Relieved After Chiefs Traded for Justin Fields
GettyKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
Fields was an important pick up for Kansas City this offseason given Mahomes’ injury and the uncertainty of his return timeline.
The Chiefs also lost 2025 backup QB Gardner Minshew to the Arizona Cardinals during free agency, which left Kansas City with considerable questions at the sport’s most important position.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sung Fields’ praises during a media session in late March after the team acquired the QB.
“We snuck out and got a good quarterback to back [Mahomes] up,” Reid said. “If [Mahomes is] not able to make it for the beginning of the season, then we know we’ve got a legitimate backup there that can go win games for us.”
Analysts believe Fields will maintain at least a modicum of a role upon Mahomes’ return, with Reid utilizing his ability as a runner from the QB position situationally.
Justin Fields Has Chance for Mid-Career Renaissance With Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid in Kansas City
GettyQuarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (left) and new teammate Justin Fields (right).
Fields was equally complimentary of Reid when discussing his new coach Tuesday.
“He’s been in the NFL a long time, has had a lot of success and, you know, very smart,” Fields said. “And so that was … an exciting factor for me when I came here.”
Fields is entering his age-27 campaign and only under contract through 2026. Thus, it is unlikely he will return to Kansas City for a full-time backup role in 2027, unless free agency bears no fruit a little less than one year from now.
But Fields has a great opportunity while he is a member of the Chiefs to learn from Mahomes and Reid and develop his game before heading back onto the market next year in search of a starting job elsewhere in the league.
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