The New York Jets took a swing last offseason, handing Justin Fields a two-year, $40 million deal. The idea was simple. Maybe the former first-round pick could finally turn into the franchise quarterback the Bears once thought he would be. It did not work out that way.
Fields threw for 9,039 yards and 52 touchdowns across five seasons with the Bears, Jets, and Steelers. His one year in New York showed some promise but not much else. He appeared in nine games, posting an 89.5 passer rating with 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception.
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The former No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft went 2-7 as a starter before the Jets moved on to Tyrod Taylor. After the team traded for former Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith, it became obvious. Fields’ time in New York was done after just one season.
Now he is headed somewhere else. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets are finalizing a deal that will send quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick, pending a physical.
The Chiefs are taking on $3 million of the $10 million Fields was guaranteed in 2026, per reports. The Jets basically offset both the cash and the pick they gave up to land Smith by trading away last year’s starter.
New York absorbs $19 million in dead cap from the deal, including $7 million of guaranteed salary. The move frees up $4 million in cap space and brings back a late-round pick instead of cutting him outright.
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New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields stretches before an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes suffered his season-ending knee injury on December 14. At the very least, adding Fields gives him the bulk of reps during offseason workouts and possibly into training camp while Mahomes continues his recovery.
The Chiefs also lost backup Gardner Minshew to the Arizona Cardinals, where he expects to compete for a starting job.
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