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Former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns.
The New York Jets have ended the Justin Fields experiment.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed that the Jets are shipping off Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs. This trade is “pending a physical,” and he mentioned that “other teams were interested.”
However, Fields’ “preference was to go to Kansas City,” and the Jets acquiesced.
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.
NFL Insider Dianna Russini revealed that the Chiefs are sending the Jets a 2027 sixth-round pick for Fields.
Jets Are Saving Money in This Chiefs Trade
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero revealed that, “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.”
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
Last week, the Jets acquired Smith in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In that deal, the Jets sent Las Vegas a sixth-round pick and got back a seventh-round pick. The Jets are paying $3.3 million of Smith’s salary in 2026.
So essentially, this Fields trade with the Chiefs makes up whatever was lost in the Smith trade. In other words, it’s a wash; the Jets, in an indirect way, got rid of Fields for Smith to become the new QB1.
Top Social Media Reactions to Fields Jets-Chiefs Trade
“SOURCES: The Jets are getting a sixth-round pick back from the Chiefs for Justin Fields. Here’s the key: It’s in 2027 (much more talent-rich class). New York will eat the majority of Fields’ contract, which helped facilitate the trade,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY posted.
SOURCES: The #Jets are getting a sixth-round pick back from the #Chiefs for Justin Fields. Here’s the key: It’s in 2027 (much more talent-rich class)
New York will eat the majority of Fields’ contract, which helped facilitate the trade.
“I did not think it was possible, but the Jets have facilitated a trade for Justin Fields. He heads to the Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes‘ backup. There was some reluctance from Fields to be used as a wild-cat option with NYJ after he was benched. He could be a real weapon for KC if he’s more open to it there,” Hughes added.
“Fields lands in a good spot. With Mahomes still rehabbing from ACL surgery, Fields will get a ton of reps in the offseason/preseason and could see RS playing time, depending on how quickly Mahomes returns,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote.
Fields lands in a good spot. With Mahomes still rehabbing from ACL surgery, Fields will get a ton of reps in the offseason/preseason and could see RS playing time, depending on how quickly Mahomes returns. #Jets
Fields Jets Tenure Was an Epic Disaster
Last offseason, the green and white signed Fields to a two-year deal for $40 million with $30 million of that guaranteed.
Fields was immediately crowned as the QB1 for the Jets.
He started nine games in 2025 for the Jets. The former Ohio State product finished with 1,259 passing yards, completed 62.7% of his passes, and had seven passing touchdowns to one interception.
Fields also contributed in the ground game. He had 71 carries for 383 rushing yards and had four touchdowns.
He suffered injuries and was eventually benched for good in favor of Tyrod Taylor and, eventually, undrafted free agent Brady Cook.
Fields was likely to be released at some point this offseason by the Jets. He didn’t have a trigger date in his contract, so the Jets controlled his rights for the next several months. That left the door open for a potential future trade which the Jets were able to capitalize on.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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