Chiefs trade for Patrick Mahomes’ backup after uncharacteristic six-win season: reports

Patrick Mahomes appears to have a new backup.

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a deal to acquire quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets for a sixth-round pick in 2027, according to multiple reports. The Jets will also pick up $7 million of his guaranteed $10 million salary for the 2026 season.

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The teams have yet to officially announce the trade.

Kansas City held its own for the most part last season and was aiming to make the playoffs as a wild card team before Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The Chiefs uncharacteristically lost eight of their last nine games and turned to backup quarterbacks Gardner Minshew II and Chris Oladokun as the team dealt with injuries at that position.

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New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall, file)

Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, will find himself on his fourth team in four years. He played his first three seasons with the Bears before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2024. He signed with the New York Jets in the offseason last year.

The former Ohio State standout has 9,039 passing yards and 52 touchdown passes in 59 games. He started nine games for the Jets in 2025 and had 1,259 passing yards and seven touchdown passes. He was 2-7 in those games.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes clutches his knee after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)

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The Chiefs will have a viable quarterback to play if Mahomes might not be ready for Week 1.