One of the underrated roster needs for the Kansas City Chiefs to address during the offseason was a backup quarterback.
Starter Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 season, and could be in jeopardy of missing the start of the 2026 season. If he does miss some regular season action, Kansas City will need a quarterback capable of managing the offense well and giving them a shot to win.
Kansas City Chiefs Acquire QB Justin Fields in Trade With New York Jets
It appears that the Chiefs got their guy, as they have acquired Justin Fields in a trade with the New York Jets, per a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The Chiefs are sending a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York for Fields, and the Jets will eat $7 million of the $10 million of guaranteed money that he was owed in 2026. This comes after the Jets acquired Geno Smith in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, who figures to be New York’s starter in 2026.
Justin Fields Will Provide Insurance for Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes Recovers
GettyQB Justin Fields
Fields spent the 2025 season with the Jets, throwing for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception in nine starts. Despite the solid numbers, he was benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor after a 2-7 start. Fields dealt with knee soreness for much of the season, and was eventually placed on injured reserve in December, which ended his season.
After a decorated collegiate career at Ohio State, Fields was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Although he had some moments and made plays during his three-year tenure with the Bears, a 10-28 record as their starter led the team to trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. Fields went 4-2 in as Pittsburgh’s starter in place of Russell Wilson, but was sent back to the bench when Wilson returned.
Fields is a dual-threat quarterback who has a big arm and is dangerous with his legs. In 59 total games played, he has thrown for 9,039 yards, 52 touchdowns, 32 interceptions, and a 61.4 percent completion percentage. He has also racked up 2,892 rushing yards on 489 carries and 23 touchdowns. Fields owns the record for most rushing yards in a regular season game by a quarterback with 178.
As he begins his new venture with the Chiefs, he’ll first have the opportunity to take all of the offseason reps as the team’s top quarterback. It doesn’t seem likely that Mahomes will participate in offseason OTAs or mini camp, which will allow Fields to learn the offseason and establish chemistry with Kansas City’s top playmakers.
Fields could also get most of the work as the team’s starter during training camp in late July and early August, although it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Mahomes participates. If the Chiefs need to lean on Fields as their starter during the regular season, he should be well prepared. Coach Andy Reid is known for getting the most out of his quarterbacks, and Fields has plenty of talent.
Even if Mahomes does start in Week 1 and plays in every game in 2026, acquiring Fields should be well worth it. As he did while with the Steelers, Fields could see the field during games in certain packages designed for him to run the ball, especially near the goal line. The Chiefs could also use Fields on QB sneaks, which they have gotten away from ever since Mahomes injured his knee while executing one back in 2019.
Chiefs Acquire Former 1st-Round QB to Provide Insurance for Patrick Mahomes