The New York Jets saved a little bit of cash on Monday when they decided to trade quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The Chiefs needed a veteran quarterback set to lead the team in offseason workouts and training camp until Patrick Mahomes returns from an ACL injury he suffered in Week 15 of last season. It’s possible Fields could be the starting quarterback in Week 1 if Mahomes isn’t fully healthy.
The Chicago Bears drafted Fields in the first round of the 2021 draft. The Bears traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before they took Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick.
Fields started the 2025 campaign as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets but was benched later in the season for Tyrod Taylor.
Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Chiefs will take on $3 million of Fields’ salary for the upcoming season. Fields was set to make $20 million in 2026, but his salary was cut to $11 million.
The Jets will take on $8 million of Fields’ salary, saving $785,000 and gaining a draft pick.
“So the Chiefs will pay $3 million ($1.785 million more than they would have paid if/when he'd been cut) and give up a 2027 sixth-round pick to get him immediately,” Florio wrote. “And the Jets will gain the draft pick and pay less than they would have owed if they'd cut him.
“On that point, Fields was due to make $20 million total in 2026. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Fields's total 2026 salary has dropped to $11 million. As we understand it, the Jets will pay $8 million total, and the Chiefs will pay $3 million.”
The Jets had no more use for Fields after trading with the Las Vegas Raiders for Geno Smith last week.
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