The Chiefs have a backup quarterback in tow in case Patrick Mahomes isn't ready to start the 2026 season.
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting an experienced quarterback to backup Patrick Mahomes as he rehabs from an ACL tear. The Chiefs are acquiring Justin Fields from the New York Jets in a trade, ESPN reported Monday.
New York will reportedly receive a sixth-round pick in the 2027 draft from Kansas City, while the Chiefs will get a seventh-round pick from the Jets. As part of the deal, the Chiefs will also eat $3 million of Fields' $10 million guaranteed salary for this season, NFL Media reported. The trade will presumably make Fields the Chiefs' top quarterback for their offseason program, at the very least. Mahomes tore his ACL in December, likely sidelining him for much of the offseason. Mahomes and the Chiefs have expressed optimism, though, that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. But Kansas City didn't have another experienced quarterback on its roster prior to Monday's trade, making a move for a veteran quarterback necessary. With Gardner Minshew becoming a free agent earlier in March, the only other quarterbacks on the Chiefs' roster prior to Monday were Chis Oladokun and Jake Haener. Fields, meanwhile, could use the opportunity to potentially jump-start his career. He was given the chance to start for the Jets last season, but struggled after signing a two-year, $40 million deal. He went 2-7 in nine starts, throwing for just 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns and an interception. He also added 383 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. However, Fields was eventually benched as New York's offense ranked among the worst in football for much of the year. The Jets further indicated their plans to move on from Fields in the opening week of free agency. They swung a trade for Geno Smith, acquiring the veteran quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders. Fields, who turned 27 earlier in March, has shown promise at points in his five-year career, but has largely struggled as a passer. He's 16-37 all-time as a starter, posting a career 84.7 passer rating.
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