A league source confirmed Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs have acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets through a trade agreement.
According to the source, who spoke anonymously since neither organization has officially announced the transaction, Kansas City will send a sixth-round selection in the 2027 draft to New York in exchange for Fields. The Jets will also cover $7 million of Fields’ $10 million guaranteed contract for the upcoming season.
ESPN initially broke the story, though the agreement remains contingent on Fields passing a physical examination.
The 27-year-old signal-caller inked a two-year, $40 million contract with New York last March, including $30 million in guaranteed money. Fields started most games early in the season before losing his position to Tyrod Taylor during Week 12 in November. His season concluded when the team placed him on injured reserve in late December due to a knee problem, preventing him from taking another snap.
During his time as New York’s starting quarterback, Fields compiled a 2-7 record while throwing seven touchdown passes against just one interception for 1,259 passing yards. His struggles included four contests where he threw for under 55 yards, with his lowest output being 27 yards in a Week 2 defeat against Buffalo.
Kansas City has been seeking an experienced backup quarterback who could step in should two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes not be ready for the season opener while recovering from torn knee ligaments suffered late in the previous campaign.
Fields’ departure from New York became increasingly likely following the Jets’ acquisition of Geno Smith last week. Despite holding onto Fields through the beginning of free agency, general manager Darren Mougey ultimately found a trading partner in Kansas City.
Originally selected 11th overall by Chicago in the 2021 draft, Fields spent three seasons with the Bears before being dealt to Pittsburgh in 2024. When Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury, Fields took over as Pittsburgh’s starter and helped lead the Steelers to a 4-2 record while contributing five passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns, and just one interception. However, once Wilson returned to health, Pittsburgh returned to the veteran quarterback and Fields returned to a reserve role.
Following his signing with New York last offseason to replace the released Aaron Rodgers, Fields expressed confidence in his ability to succeed as an NFL starter. Unfortunately, those results never materialized during his time with the Jets.
After New York stumbled to an 0-7 start in what became a disappointing 3-14 inaugural season under head coach Aaron Glenn, team owner Woody Johnson pointed to inadequate quarterback performance from Fields as a major factor in the team’s poor showing.
“The defense is pretty good. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good,” Johnson stated during the NFL’s fall owners meetings last October. “We’ve got to complete some passes. You’ve got to convince them that you can do something. Otherwise it’s hard to have a game that you can win.”
Throughout his professional career, Fields holds a 16-37 record as a starting quarterback with 9,039 passing yards, 52 touchdown passes, and 32 interceptions. He has also contributed 2,892 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.
