NY Jets Trade QB Justin Fields to Chiefs

Jets receive sixth-round pick in 2027 NFL Draft

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:50pm

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The New York Jets have agreed to trade quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The deal is pending a physical, and the Jets will absorb most of Fields' 2026 salary as part of the agreement.

Why it matters

The trade comes after the Chiefs lost their previous backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, to free agency. Fields will now serve as a backup to star QB Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, while the Jets move forward with Geno Smith as their starting QB.

The details

Originally drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021, Fields spent three seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Steelers in 2024. He signed a two-year deal with the Jets in 2025 and started nine games for them last season, but his performance declined as the year went on. For the year, Fields completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception, while adding 383 rushing yards and four scores.

  • The trade is pending a physical.
  • Fields is set to join the Chiefs for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Justin Fields

A 27-year-old quarterback who was originally drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021 and spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets.

Geno Smith

The new starting quarterback for the New York Jets, acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season.

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What they’re saying

“Trade: the New York Jets are finalizing a deal that will send QB Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, pending a physical, per ESPN sources. Other teams were interested, but Fields' preference was to go to Kansas City.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter

“As part of the agreement, New York will absorb most of Fields' 2026 salary. The Jets will cover all but $3 million of the $10 million guaranteed on his contract, a move that saves the team more money than releasing him outright.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Media Reporter

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This trade allows the Jets to move on from Justin Fields and save money, while the Chiefs add a capable backup quarterback to support Patrick Mahomes' recovery from injury. The deal highlights the fluid nature of the NFL quarterback landscape and the importance of depth at the position.