Former Steelers QB Justin Fields Traded to Chiefs

Fields joins Kansas City after brief stint with Jets

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:08pm

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded former quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Fields, who spent one season with the New York Jets, will now back up star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

Why it matters

This trade marks another chapter in Fields' NFL journey after his initial high expectations with the Steelers did not pan out. The move to the Chiefs gives Fields a chance to learn behind one of the league's elite quarterbacks and potentially revive his career.

The details

The Steelers brought in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024 to try to fix their quarterback woes, but Fields was quickly benched in favor of Wilson once the veteran was healthy. After an uneventful 2025 season with the Jets, Fields is now headed to the Chiefs, where he will serve as the backup to star QB Patrick Mahomes.

  • The Steelers signed Fields and Russell Wilson in 2024.
  • Fields went 4-2 as the Steelers' starter in 2024 before being benched for Wilson.
  • Fields spent the 2025 season with the New York Jets.
  • On March 16, 2026, the Jets traded Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The players

Justin Fields

A former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets who is now headed to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Russell Wilson

The veteran quarterback who the Steelers signed in 2024 and who took over the starting job from Fields.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, who will now have Fields as his backup.

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What they’re saying

“Several teams were interested in trading for Fields.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to develop Fields as Mahomes' backup, with the hope that he can eventually regain the promise he showed early in his career.

The takeaway

This trade represents another twist in the career of Justin Fields, who has struggled to find consistent success in the NFL after being a highly touted prospect. The move to the Chiefs gives him a chance to learn behind one of the league's best quarterbacks, but he will need to make the most of this opportunity to revive his career.