Chiefs QB Justin Fields is the backup option for Patrick Mahomes. What to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs acquired Justin Fields from the New York Jets to bolster quarterback depth.
- KC will pay only $3 million of Fields’ $10 million 2026 guarantee; the Jets pay the rest.
- Reid called Fields a “legitimate starting QB” & will position him to win in ‘26 if needed.
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets this offseason to bolster their depth chart while Patrick Mahomes recovers from a serious knee injury.
Head coach Andy Reid sees Fields, who has previously suited up for the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, as more than a typical backup.
The Chiefs also drafted a quarterback this year for the first time since moving up in the NFL Draft to take Mahomes in 2017.
That raises the stakes for the 27-year-old Fields, who is seeking a fresh start in Kansas City.
Here are some main things to know ahead of the next phase of the Chiefs’ offseason:
• Fields said he was “excited for a new start” in Kansas City, citing the team’s tradition, culture and the chance to learn from Mahomes and Reid.
• The Chiefs sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Fields, who had other suitors but preferred Kansas City, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
• Kansas City will pay only $3 million of the $10 million Fields was guaranteed in 2026, with the Jets covering the rest, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
• Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in mid-December, and the team has estimated a nine-month recovery, leaving his Week 1 status in question.
• Reid has called Fields a “legitimate starting quarterback” and plans to position him to win games early in 2026 if Mahomes isn’t ready.
• Fields has won only 16 of 53 career starts after stints with the Bears, Steelers and Jets, but his dual-threat ability has produced flashes of elite play throughout his NFL career.
Pete Sweeney and Pete Grathoff contributed reporting for this story.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.