Chiefs Confident in Justin Fields as Mahomes' Backup

Andy Reid says former Steelers QB can win games if needed to start early in season

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives, representing the dynamic interplay between the Chiefs' star quarterback and his new understudy.A cubist interpretation of the quarterback duel between the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and his new backup, former Steelers QB Justin Fields.Today in Pittsburgh

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed at the NFL league meetings that the team is comfortable with starting Justin Fields at quarterback until Patrick Mahomes is 100% recovered from a late-season ACL injury in 2025. The Chiefs recently acquired Fields in a trade with the New York Jets, who had signed him to a two-year, $40 million deal last March but struggled mightily with him as their starter in 2025 before benching him.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' confidence in Fields as Mahomes' backup is a significant vote of confidence for the former Steelers QB, who had a difficult stint as the Jets' starter but showed promise during his time in Pittsburgh. If Mahomes isn't ready to start the season, Fields will have a chance to prove himself and potentially revive his career.

The details

The Jets traded Fields to the Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick earlier this month. Reid said the team is comfortable with Fields starting if Mahomes isn't fully recovered from his late-2025 ACL injury. Fields struggled mightily with the Jets in 2025, going 2-7 as the starter and being benched twice. However, he had a solid 4-2 record as the Steelers' starter in 2024 while Russell Wilson recovered from an injury.

  • In March 2024, the Steelers acquired Fields in a trade.
  • In the 2024 season, Fields started 6 games for the Steelers, going 4-2.
  • In March 2025, the Jets signed Fields to a 2-year, $40 million contract.
  • In the 2025 season, Fields struggled as the Jets' starter, going 2-7 and being benched twice.
  • In March 2026, the Jets traded Fields to the Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick.

The players

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who expressed confidence in Justin Fields as the team's backup quarterback until Patrick Mahomes is fully recovered.

Justin Fields

A former first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, who struggled as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets in 2025 but has now been traded to the Chiefs, where he will back up Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who suffered an ACL injury late in the 2025 season and is still recovering, opening the door for Justin Fields to potentially start early in the 2026 season.

Woody Johnson

The owner of the New York Jets, who publicly criticized Fields' performance as the team's starting quarterback in 2025.

Omar Khan

The general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who acquired Fields in a trade in March 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Well, we snuck out and got a good quarterback to back him up. So, if he doesn't, you know, if he's not able to make it for the beginning of the season, then we know we've got a legitimate backup there that can go win games for us.”

— Andy Reid, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs

“It's hard when you have a quarterback with the rating that we've got. He has the ability, but something is not jiving. If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you are going to similar results across the league. The offense is just not clicking, and you can't run the ball if you can't pass the ball. That's football 101.”

— Woody Johnson, Owner, New York Jets

What’s next

The Chiefs will monitor Patrick Mahomes' recovery throughout the offseason and preseason, and determine if Justin Fields will be needed to start early in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This trade represents a fresh start for Justin Fields, who struggled mightily with the Jets but has a chance to revive his career as Patrick Mahomes' backup in Kansas City. The Chiefs' confidence in Fields is a testament to his potential, and if he can capitalize on this opportunity, it could be a win-win for both the player and the team.