Going into the 2026 season, the Kansas City Chiefs could be without their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, to start the season. This is due to a torn ACL that Mahomes suffered in December.
The Chiefs are set up to compete, and they had to find a QB to start in case Mahomes is not ready. Their answer is Justin Fields.
Chiefs Trade for Former First-Round Pick Justin Fields
After finishing the 2025 season 6-11, bouncing back in 2026 is a priority for Kansas City. This is a team that competes for the Super Bowl each year, but that is because of Mahomes. His injury could derail that if a backup quarterback were not found.
The backup QB market has become pretty expensive in recent years, so finding someone to fill in when/if Mahomes is out is not an easy thing to do. Still, there were some options, and the Chiefs have pinpointed Fields as the choice.
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. pic.twitter.com/HFgFODMi0r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2026
In the trade with the New York Jets, Kansas City sent a 2027 6th-round pick for the QB.
Financially, Fields was on a two-year, $40M contract, and to get this deal done, the Jets will pay most of his guaranteed money in 2026.
The Chiefs will take on $3 million of the $10 million Justin Fields was guaranteed in 2026, per source. So, the Jets effectively offset both the cash and pick they gave up to get new starter Geno Smith by moving last year’s starter. https://t.co/4VyKJYvfRK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2026
Fields has struggled throughout his career as a starter, but in Kansas City, it will be an excellent scenario for him. For the short term, he can potentially play some games as the starter if Mahomes is out, but the real benefit comes from him at QB2. Fields has very high potential, and since he is just 27, time with Andy Reid could help him reach the next level.
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We are starting to see former top draft picks sit for a couple of years and become better starters in the league, and Fields could easily be the next. This is nowhere near a guarantee, but sitting behind Mahomes for at least a year (Fields’ deal runs out after this season) is a perfect scenario for this outcome.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
