Chiefs reportedly set to trade for QB Justin Fields, but won’t pay his full salary
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jets set to trade Justin Fields to Chiefs; he must pass a physical.
- Chiefs will pay $3M of Fields’ $10M guaranteed 2026 salary, per report.
- Fields adds dual‑threat experience as a likely Mahomes backup.
It’s been Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s preference to have a reserve quarterback with NFL experience, and that is especially important this year because it’s unknown if Patrick Mahomes will return from knee surgery for the season’s opener.
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in mid-December, and the team has estimated a nine-month recovery.
The Chiefs got their man Monday, as multiple national outlets reported the New York Jets are set to trade quarterback Justin Fields to Kansas City. The Chiefs will send the Jets a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for the quarterback.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Fields, who must pass a physical, had other suitors, but his preference was the Chiefs.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added the Chiefs will pay just $3 million of the $10 million salary that Fields was guaranteed in 2026.
Fields, who turned 27 on March 5, was chosen by the Chicago Bears with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After throwing for 6,674 yards and 40 touchdowns with 30 interceptions in three seasons in the Windy City, Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
He started six games with Pittsburgh, then became a free agent and signed last year with the Jets. Fields completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards in 2025 with seven touchdowns and an interception in nine games.
Fields was benched in November, then was placed on injured reserve in December because of a knee injury.
In 59 career games, Fields has rushed for 2,892 yards and 23 touchdowns. His dual-threat ability and athleticism make him an ideal candidate to run the offseason program as Mahomes continues to work his way back.
Gardner Minshew, who was the Chiefs’ backup last season, signed with the Arizona Cardinals last week.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 10:42 AM.
