Justin Fields traded to Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesThe Jets are trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs per Adam Schefter.
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. pic.twitter.com/HFgFODMi0r
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2026
The Jets will end up paying most of Fields' salary, although based on the Schefter report it sounds like the move will open a few million dollars in cap space.
The Chiefs will take on $3 million of the $10 million Justin Fields was guaranteed in 2026, per source. So, the Jets effectively offset both the cash and pick they gave up to get new starter Geno Smith by moving last year's starter. https://t.co/4VyKJYvfRK
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2026
Comp update: Chiefs are expected to send a 2027 6th-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Justin Fields. https://t.co/f7ffXP9rDq
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2026
The Jets signed Fields to a two year contract in 2025. The hope was for Fields to be a medium term bridge quarterback. If Fields played well, he could buy the Jets some time to find a long-term solution in the NFL Draft.
To say this plan failed would be an understatement. Fields was arguably the league's worst starting quarterback in 2025. His play earned him multiple benchings. Even with $10 million in guarantees due, there was virtually no chance the Jets planned to bring him back for 2026.
The move allows the Jets to recoup a small amount of cap space and add a late round pick, which is about as well as the team could have done under the circumstances.