The 2026 NFL offseason has seen Justin Fields face another turning point in his career.
The former Chicago Bears quarterback had achieved journeyman status in recent years, bouncing from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets. Mounting struggles and a lackluster resume made it likely that he was on his way out of town as he entered the final year of a two-year, $40 million contract signed last spring.
With an underwhelming resume, it was unclear what kind of market Fields would have if he were released by the Jets or if a team would even be interested in bringing him aboard as a backup.
As it turned out, Fields lucked out with a reported trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade is contingent on Fields passing a physical. The Athletic’s Zac Rosenblatt adds that the Jets are getting a sixth-round pick in exchange while “eating most of Fields’ remaining salary to facilitate the deal.” This is all a moot point for Fields, however, who may have been given one last lifeline to save his career.
Justin Fields Given One Last Chance to Thrive with Chiefs
Bears fans may wonder whether this is the best idea for the Chiefs, considering how poorly Fields played throughout his time in Chicago.
The 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Fields went 10-28 in three years as a starter, completing 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. His dual-threat ability gave him a sturdy floor with 2,220 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, but former general manager Ryan Pace was fired after Fields’s rookie season, giving successor Ryan Poles the runway to acquire Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
A trade to the Steelers followed, and Fields signed with the Jets when he became a free agent the following year. But after being benched in both spots, it felt like his career was on the brink before the Chiefs swung a trade and may have given him the perfect spot to rehab his reputation.
Fields will be the backup to Patrick Mahomes, barring an offseason collapse, and could get the chance to start if Mahomes hasn’t recovered from a torn ACL. He’ll also be working with the best infrastructure he’s had in his career, with head coach Andy Reid in control of the offense, an offensive line that ranked 10th in Pro Football Focus’s end-of-season rankings, and weapons including Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and the newly signed Kenneth Walker III.
Even if the trial is just a few games, it could have a big reward. Malik Willis made just three starts for the Green Bay Packers as Jordan Love’s backup, but played well enough to earn a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins this offseason. “Phoenix” quarterbacks have also become a trend in the NFL, with Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones having success after being dumped by the teams that originally drafted them.
Bears fans who have watched Fields over his career may think that ship has sailed. But it’s also not impossible, considering the situation that Fields is walking into. At age 27, it’s an important crossroads for a player who was once considered to be the quarterback of the future in Chicago and could help him finally fulfill his potential and save his career.