The Kansas City Chiefs acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets on Monday, sending a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fields, 27, preferred to continue his career in Kansas City, though other teams had shown interest, the sources said. The move follows the Jets’ acquisition last week of Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders to be their starter in 2026, a deal that made Fields expendable in New York.
To complete the trade, the Jets agreed to pay $7 million of Fields’ $10 million guaranteed 2026 salary, while the Chiefs will cover the remaining $3 million. That structure mirrors the Smith trade, in which the Jets are paying $3.3 million of Smith’s salary while the Raiders pay $16.2 million.
Patrick Mahomes, a nine-year veteran, is rehabbing after December surgery to repair torn ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee. While Mahomes aims to be available for the Chiefs’ season opener, Fields — a mobile quarterback — will run the offense under coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy during the offseason and likely for much of training camp as Mahomes progresses through rehab.
Mahomes has said his goal is to be healthy and ready for Week 1, though he acknowledged uncertainty in the recovery process. Reid has praised Mahomes’ rehab work with athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, noting his dedication and daily grind through the recovery routine.
The Chiefs had a notable vacancy at backup quarterback after Gardner Minshew signed with the Arizona Cardinals last week. The remaining depth options, Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener, combined for just three career starts before the Fields acquisition.
Fields’ exit from the Jets had been expected after they added Smith. He struggled in his lone season in New York, was benched on Nov. 17 and finished the year on injured reserve with a knee issue that flared after his demotion. The Jets signed Fields last year to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, a key move in coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey’s first year.
On the field, Fields went 2-7 as a starter for the Jets and ranked 31st of 36 qualified passers in Total QBR (37.3). He finished the season with seven touchdown passes, one interception and 1,259 passing yards, including just 505 yards across his final five starts. Owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized Fields during the team’s 0-7 start, saying the quarterback’s low rating was a significant issue.
Fields briefly staved off a benching in Week 8, producing a 244-yard performance in a comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but his play declined afterward. Originally a 2021 first-round pick by the Chicago Bears, Fields is 16-37 as a starting quarterback and will join the Chiefs as his fourth team in four NFL seasons.
With Smith now in New York, the Jets’ quarterback room also includes Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe behind their new starter. The trade closes a turbulent chapter for Fields in New York while giving Kansas City an experienced, mobile option to shepherd the offense while Mahomes recovers.
