With star quarterback Patrick Mahomes still recovering from an ACL injury and former backup quarterback Gardner Minshew leaving to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs needed some help at the quarterback position. On Monday morning, they got it.
According to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Chiefs decided to trade for former New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields.
“Trade: the New York Jets are finalizing a deal that will send QB Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, pending a physical, per ESPN sources. Other teams were interested, but Fields’ preference was to go to Kansas City,” Schefter [wrote in a post on X](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2033559677821124687?s=20) on Monday morning.
As Schefter points out, this will help provide the Chiefs with a veteran option during the offseason as Mahomes continues to recover from his injury.
“Patrick Mahomes suffered his season-ending knee injury on December 14. At a minimum, adding Justin Fields allows him to take the bulk of the reps during offseason workouts and potentially into training camp as Mahomes continues to recover in hopes of being ready for the regular season,” Schefter added.
Fields was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears before he was ultimately traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2024 season when the Bears chose to draft Caleb Williams. After one season with the Steelers, Fields signed with the Jets.
Throughout his five-year NFL career, Fields has started 53 games and amassed a 16-37 record as a starter.
While the Chiefs undoubtedly hope that Mahomes will be ready by the start of the season, this gives the team a veteran option if he needs a little more time.