Justin Fields days in the Meadowlands of North Jersey were always numbered this offseason, which is why the New York Jets got everything they could for him before the NFL Draft. How much is that exactly? Not enough, but it doesn't matter. Fields was scheduled to be a post-June 1 cut anyway, so the Jets shipped him west to the Kansas City Chiefs.
As for why KC would make this move, Patrick Mahomes is coming off a major knee injury. The Chiefs lost steady backup Gardner Minshew to the Arizona Cardinals, where he's expected to compete for a starting job. So, why not take a swing on Fields, who has all the raw talent in the world and could thrive in a new offensive system?
NFL trade grades: Chiefs deal for Jets QB Justin Fields
The Chiefs dealt a late-round pick in 2027 for Fields. While that might not seem like much on the surface, keep in mind that the Jets were scheduled to release Fields for next to nothing after the draft. Thus, this allows them to recoup some compensation.
Why the Chiefs traded for Justin Fields
Kansas City was running out of options they could trust. Sure, Fields can be turnover-prone at times when he's out of his comfort zone. But, when placed in an offense that plays to his strengths – namely the ground game – Fields can be a capable quarterback. Just look back at his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a clear example of what offensive coordinator should employ Fields as. In Pittsburgh, Fields was featured in a run-heavy scheme and was never asked to put the ball in danger (namely the middle of the field). As a result, the Steelers went 4-2 before Pittsburgh gave the starting job to Russell Wilson. How'd that work out?
Why the Jets traded Justin Fields
It was Fields' time in Pittsburgh that encouraged the Jets to sign him last offseason to a two-year deal. However, the second season of that contract doesn't offer much guaranteed money. So, the Jets had an easy way out. Per Adam Schefter, it was Fields' choice to play with the Chiefs and back up Mahomes, as there were multiple teams interested. That's a smart call by Fields, as it's his quickest path back to a full-time starting job.
Chiefs grade: B
Jets grade: C+
Justin Fields trade has ramifications for Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes suffered his season-ending knee injury in mid-December. While he's expected to be back for the Chiefs at some point next season, there's a good chance Fields now takes the majority of starter reps in training camp. This is valuable for a couple of reasons. First, it gives Fields the reps he needs to learn a new offense just in case Mahomes isn't ready, or can't play some of the season. Second, it gives the Chiefs defense reps against a starting-caliber quarterback, even if Fields isn't on Mahomes level.
That, in a nutshell, is why the Chiefs won this trade. Andy Reid knows a good reclamation project when he sees one, and Fields has never lacked in talent. At worst, Fields won't be asked to do much in the Chiefs offense if he even sees the field. Going through training camp with Mahomes' injury status hanging over them will be tough enough. Doing so without a real backup plan in place is just a horrible idea.
Good on Brett Veach for fixing a roster flaw on the cheap.