The Kansas City Chiefs did not take long to plug one of the biggest holes on their roster. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kansas City is finalizing a trade to acquire quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets, pending a physical. The Chiefs will send a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York to close the deal.
The move is a direct response to the torn ACL and LCL that three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes suffered in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers last December, a season-ending injury that left Kansas City without a capable backup heading into 2026. Per Schefter, while other teams expressed interest in Fields, the quarterback’s preference was Kansas City.
Kansas City will absorb $3 million of the $10 million Fields is guaranteed in 2026, with the Jets covering the remaining $7 million to get the deal done.
Fields’ Rough Season in New York Made This Fresh Start Seem Inevitable
Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, arrived in New York last spring on a two-year, $40 million contract.
Before joining the Jets, Fields spent three seasons with the Chicago Bears and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent most of 2024 as Russell Wilson’s backup.
The 2025 season did not go as expected. He started nine games, going 2-7, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and 383 rushing yards.
Jun 11, 2025; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) speaks at a press conference during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Jun 11, 2025; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) speaks at a press conference during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Ball security was a persistent concern, despite just one interception. Fields fumbled four times and absorbed 27 sacks before being benched in Week 12 for veteran Tyrod Taylor.
New York had discussed using Fields in a wildcat role after the benching, but the quarterback reportedly had mixed feelings about it.
The organization made its direction clear when it traded for 15-year veteran Geno Smith last week, installing him as the starter in 2026 and leaving no room for Fields on the roster.
Jets’ draft picks in the anticipated 2027 NFL Draft:
1st – own
1st – Colts
1st – Cowboys or Packers (whichever is higher)
2nd – own
3rd – own
4th – own
5th – own
6th – 49ers*
6th – Chiefs*
6th – Eagles*
*The 6th round picks have conditions. https://t.co/f7ffXP9rDq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2026
Chiefs Are Banking on Fields to Cover During the Mahomes Recovery
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks on during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on December 14 during a Week 15 loss to the Chargers, underwent surgery in Dallas the following day, and is now targeting a Week 1 return in 2026.
NFL insider Jay Glazer told The Dan Patrick Show he believes Mahomes is tracking ahead of schedule and could be back even sooner than Week 1.
Kansas City went 6-11 last season, their first losing record since 2012. Prior backup Gardner Minshew departed for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, leaving the quarterback room genuinely thin behind Mahomes.
Fields’ mobility adds a genuine dimension to Reid’s offense that neither Chris Oladokun nor Jake Haener can replicate. This is also personal. Landing on a Super Bowl contender, inside one of the most accomplished offensive systems in the league, is the kind of context that could redefine what his career becomes.