“That was a situation that just didn’t work out. I can’t sit here and say, ‘I regret it’, because I think Justin is a really good player. I put the fault on me. I didn’t do enough to put him in a position to be successful.”

Glenn also expressed confidence that Justin Fields will thrive in Kansas City under Andy Reid. “I think he is going to do well in Kansas City. I really do. He is a good person and he is a good player. I think Andy Reid is going to do a good job with him.”

Why did Justin Fields leave Jets?

Justin Fields’ departure ultimately stemmed from a lack of fit within the Jets’ offensive approach and a very disappointing 2025 season. The coaching staff struggled to build a system tailored to his strengths, and inconsistent results pushed the organization to explore alternatives. Once Kansas City expressed interest, the Jets moved on while also shedding part of Fields’ salary, signaling a clear reset at the position.

Who will Jets pick in 2026 Draft?

With Justin Fields no longer on the roster, the Jets could target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Ty Simpson has emerged as a potential option. The prospect is viewed as a polished passer after his college career at Alabama. That would be another attempt by the Jets to find a franchise QB.

Rich Cimini of ESPN stated that a Week 1 start by Justin Fields for the Chiefs would make him the first quarterback in NFL history to open the season as the starting signal-caller for four different teams in four consecutive years.

In 2023, Fields started for the Bears, in 2024, he did it for the Steelers, while in 2025, Fields repped the Jets. Now, he could do it for the Chiefs. Seven quarterbacks have done it for three teams since 1950, including Fields, of course.

There’s a bad side of the story for Fields

Fields might do NFL history, but it’s not great NFL history. The thing is that Fields starts the seasons as QB1, but rarely ends them. For instance, he played 13 games for the Bears in the 2023 season, with Tyson Bagent starting four times. However, that was due to Fields suffering injuries.

However, in 2024, he started for the Steelers but then was benched for Russell Wilson. In 2025, he lost the job to Tyrod Taylor. Hence, not only is he ending up losing his spot, but also to lackluster names. Now, at least it will be Mahomes when he is back healthy.

Fields is a very different QB compared to Mahomes

Despite the clear differences in accomplishments and rankings, Fields and Mahomes are very different quarterbacks stylistically. While Mahomes can scramble and run, his biggest weapon is his huge-yet-accurate arm.

For Fields, he is a runner. He can’t instill fear in the NFL with his arm, he lacks the accuracy, but if he sees open space, he can explode and harm you massively with his feet. Hence, it will be interesting to see how much Andy Reid changes the playbook if Fields gets the start.

With Fields moving to Kansas City, the Chiefs‘ quarterback depth chart for 2026 will be as follows:

• Patrick Mahomes
• Justin Fields
• Chris Oladokun
• Jake Haener

The NY Jets, on the other hand, will enter the 2026 NFL season with Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, having completed a reunion with the veteran QB this offseason. Here’s the Jets‘ QB depth chart this year:

• Geno Smith
• Brady Cook
• Bailey Zappe

Mahomes’ injury could see Fields start for Chiefs in 2026

Even though the Chiefs’ starting QB job has a clear owner in Mahomes, his torn ACL creates a gap for the offseason activities and training camp. With the Fields trade, many are wondering whether Mahomes will recover in time for Week 1.

Even though head coach Andy Reid showed confidence in Mahomes’ progress, the Chiefs can already breathe a sigh of relief with Fields available if needed. Not only does trading for Fields could help the Chiefs improve their running game, but they’re also getting much-needed insurance behind Mahomes.

Fields’ NFL experience before trade to Chiefs

Fields, 27, boasts significant experience with 9,039 passing yards for 52 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in 53 NFL starts. His 16-37 record doesn’t look great, though to be fair, he hasn’t always been put in the best situations.

He started with a rebuilding Chicago Bears team that went 10-28 in three years with him at the helm, but Fields made a great impression in a short sample with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, going 4-2 before Mike Tomlin gave the job to Russell Wilson once he recovered from injury.

Fields hoped to revitalize his career with a move to New York in 2025, but the Jets left a lot to be desired with a 2-7 record with him under center. Now it’s time for a fresh start in Kansas City, where Fields could get playing time depending on Mahomes‘ recovery.

Jets give up on Fields, go back to Geno Smith

The Jets, meanwhile, are turning the page as nothing went to plan with Fields. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that New York is eating $7 million of Fields’ $10 million salary in 2026 to make the trade possible.

The team prefers to see what Geno Smith can do rather than giving Fields a second chance — even if Smith struggled with the Las Vegas Raiders, going 2-13 for 3,025 yards with 19 touchdowns and a league-worst 17 interceptions last year.

The Raiders secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with a 3-14 record, paving the way for them to select Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to the National Championship win in the 2025 college football season.

Smith is now reuniting with the team where he spent his first four NFL seasons, leading the Jets to a 12-18 record with 5,962 yards in 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 30 starts from 2013 to 2016.

According to journalist Adam Schefter, who reported the trade via his X account, the franchise’s plan is to give Fields ample reps during the offseason and training camp, so he could potentially start if Mahomes isn’t 100% recovered.

The former New York Jets quarterback reportedly had several offers to leave the Big Apple, but ultimately chose to join the Chiefs’ QB depth chart, with his physical still pending. Major acquisition for Andy Reid ahead of what’s coming.

What injury did Mahomes suffer?

Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during the Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter while he was scrambling, ultimately ending his season and requiring surgery the following day.

At that time, Gardner Minshew stepped in as his replacement, but he left for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Therefore, the Chiefs’ QB depth chart now includes not only Mahomes and Fields, but also Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener.

Fields’ 2025 performance

During the 2025 season with the Jets, Justin Fields appeared in 9 games, completing 128 of 204 passes for 1,259 yards, 7 touchdowns, and just 1 interception, finishing with an 89.5 passer rating.

On the ground, he added 383 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 71 carries, a sign that Fields could help the Chiefs improve their running game. Despite his efficiency in limiting turnovers, the team struggled with a 2-7 record in his starts before he was sidelined by a knee injury in late December.

A fragile comeback

Recovery from a combined ACL and LCL tear typically requires 9 to 12 months of intensive rehabilitation. Given the severity of Mahomes’ injury, he is expected to be cleared for full football activities by the start of the 2026 Chiefs regular season in September.

The fact is that the Chiefs need to be better running. Last season, they ranked 20th in the league in rushing offense. In fact, Mahomes‘ injury came by him trying to force plays with his scrambling, because they couldn’t trust the running game.

Hence, they add Justin Fields, who might not be the prospect everyone thought he would at one point, but he is definitely a dual-threat quarterback, who is arguably more dangerous with his feet than with his throwing of the football.

Fields is a dangerous runner

Back in 2021, Justin Fields ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. In fact, in the NFL, his highlight reel is likely to feature his runs more than his passes. He is fast, elusive, and quite strong to swallow contact.

With Fields on the roster, the Chiefs could make designed runs, exploit RPOs (run-pass options), and add more speed from the backfield to a unit that desperately needs it. However, this will last only while Mahomes recovers. Once he is healthy, Fields is likely to not step out of the sideline.

The Chiefs have made the running game a priority this offseason

Not only Fields, but by signing Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs have made it clear that improving the running game is a key piece of their comeback season. After all, Patrick Mahomes has never had a 1,000-yard back so far in his career. In fact, it’s not even been close.

With a more veteran Mahomes and after a knee surgery, the Chiefs would likely not want to see Mahomes run as much. Still, much of Mahomes’ danger comes from his scrambles, so it remains to be seen how much his style will change once he comes back.

Coming off a disappointing campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith is back in New York—actually, New Jersey—where he started his NFL journey back in 2013. Though excited to have him back in town, the Jets know Smith’s game brings inconsistency with it, and thus acquiring Wentz could help give the team a cushion in case all else fails.

Still, Wentz only appeared in five games in 2025, in which he didn’t exactly play lights-out. Needless to say, a quarterback tandem of Smith and Wentz would mean New York remains filled with uncertainty in 2026. The 2026 NFL Draft has yet to take place, but it’s no wonder why “J-E-T-S” fans are already eyeing the 2027 class, which could have Arch Manning leading the way.

Justin Fields could leave NY Jets

“Justin Fields remains under contract, but that likely will change,” as reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN. Following a scarily inconsistent performance in 2025, the former 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is trending to search for a new home. It would be the fourth time the quarterback hits the real estate business in his six-year career.

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets, via Spotrac, which runs through the 2026 NFL season. However, New York may not sit around waiting for his deal to expire. Instead, Jets general manager Darren Mougey may take action into his own hands.

Jets face options when it comes to Fields

If Fields won’t be taken into account by New York, it better figure out a way to escape the quarterback’s $23 million cap hit in 2026. In order to do so, the Jets have different options at their disposal. Most likely, any decision will have to wait until June 1st, when the NFL’s new league year begins.

If the Jets release Fields prior to that date, they would take on $22 million on dead cap. A pre 6/1 trade would save New York $11 million, but it would still take on $12 million in dead cap in 2026. Moreover, finding a suitable trade partner for Fields might be unlikely.

Better options for the Jets and Fields

Thus, the more likely options for the Jets are as follows. On the first hand, they could designate Fields as a June 1st release—or simply release him after that date—which would take on a $13 million dead cap for 2026 and a $9 million hit for 2027. It’s a higher price to pay than a trade, but it’s a far easier decision to pull off.

If the Jets trade Fields after June 1st, then it’d be the best solution. New York would save $20 million as it’d take on $3 million in 2026 and $9 million in 2027 in dead cap. Knowing how much money a trade would save the Jets means any team willing to do business with them will likely lowball them, though.

In fact, the future of the former Bears and Steelers quarterback in the Big Apple remains unknown. Rumors of a potential release are strong, though it’s unclear exactly when such a move might take place.

“As for Justin Fields: He’ll be released at some point, though the Jets say they are in no rush to make that move. Tyrod Taylor is open to returning if the Jets want him as a veteran backup again,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed.

Fields’ contract situation

As of early 2026, Justin Fields remains under contract with the Jets after signing a two-year, $40 million deal last offseason. While he is set to earn a base salary of $20 million this year with $10 million already guaranteed, his future with the team is uncertain following a difficult 2025 season.

General Manager Darren Mougey recently stated at the NFL Combine that while Fields is currently on the roster, the team is evaluating all options, including a potential trade or release, as they look to overhaul their quarterback room.

“We’re having discussions about the quarterback position every day,” Mougey said via the Jets’ official website. “I was actually talking to Frank this morning, and it’s myself, AG, Frank, [QB coach] Billy [Musgrave], and just discussions about all the different options and the opportunities we may or may not have. But for the time being, Justin’s in all of those conversations. So, we’ll see where that goes as we go through the process.”

Fields faced heavy criticism throughout much of the season, to the point that the coaching staff opted to lean on the experience of Tyrod Taylor down the stretch of the regular season, despite the former Bears and Steelers quarterback being healthy again after his knee injury.

When asked whether he would like to return to the field, his answer was an unequivocal yes. Still, he made it clear that he doesn’t know what will happen with his future once his time with New York comes to an end this season.

“I mean, I don’t know what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight, so I can’t even worry about what’s going to happen until after the season,” Fields said, via Dennis Waszak of the Associated Press. “We’ll just see and take it day by day.”

Justin Fields’ numbers this season in New York

In his first season with the New York Jets, Justin Fields has provided a steady presence under center, recording 1,259 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and only 1 interception.

While his 37.7 QBR reflects the team’s struggles in a highly competitive division, his ability to protect the football and contribute on the ground has been a key component of the Jets’ offensive strategy in 2025.

What is Fields’ contract situation?

Justin Fields’ contractual situation with the New York Jets has become a complex dilemma for the front office heading into 2026. Having signed a two-year deal before this season, Fields is still owed $10 million in guaranteed salary, yet his performance makes it difficult to envision him returning to a starting role.

Furthermore, moving on from him presents a significant financial burden, as cutting him without a post-June 1 designation would leave the team with $22 million in dead money.

Consequently, the Jets must carefully weigh all options, from a potential trade to a post-June 1 release, as they navigate their quarterback strategy for the upcoming season.

On Friday, New York revealed that Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor have been ruled out for the game against Jacksonville. Without their primary quarterbacks, the Jets will have to rely on Brady Cook to guide the offense.

Although the Jets are already eliminated, the club has no intention of tanking. Unfortunately, not having either Fields or Taylor may unintentionally lead them to another loss, this time against a solid team like Jacksonville.

The future holds uncertainty for Justin Fields

Earlier this year, the Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, 40 million dollar contract. The club had a lot of faith in him, but so far the quarterback has not lived up to expectations and has had a very disappointing season.

Justin Fields is currently dealing with a knee injury, which is why the Jets decided to rule him out for Week 15. He has failed to stay healthy in a year that served as a big test for his continuity.

While Fields is not expected to be released next offseason, his job as QB1 is definitely in jeopardy. Even when healthy, the former Steelers player was sidelined by HC Aaron Glenn in favor of Tyrod Taylor, which is not a good sign for his status as starter.

Who is Brady Cook?

While the Jets decide what to do with Justin Fields, they will have a chance to test a rookie quarterback. Brady Cook will be in charge of the offense in Week 15 in a tough duel against the Jaguars.

Cook has only played one game this year, when the Jets lost to the Dolphins 10-34 in Week 14. He is a former Missouri player who had decent numbers in his last three seasons. Could he be a threat to Fields as an underdog who wants to show what he is really capable of?

Hall fired off a pointed message on social media, calling out the behavior directly. “Pathetic move by you tbh. Wish some of yall would grow up and stop acting like little kids nagging somebody till they get mad lol,” he wrote in response to reporter Brian Costello.

“Approached Justin Fields at his locker. He said he was going to get a massage and did not have time to talk. I asked his reaction to move. ‘there’s no reaction. That’s life. S— happens,‘” wrote Costello, the reporter to whom Hall sent the harsh reply.

Jets fans applaud Hall’s reaction

Jets fans reacted positively to Hall’s defense of Fields. “Notice how Justin fields teammates ALWAYS have his back. Non-ball knowers can question his qb ability all they want but his character and leadership ability is top notch,” wrote Hector (@jpajamer) about Hall’s actions and how other teammates have previously supported Fields.

Other fans also complained about the methods some reporters use to get a comment or reaction from players, calling them exaggerated and arguing they shouldn’t pressure players so intensely just to get a story for their own benefit.

“Some reporters are so slimy. They are protected by the 1st amendment so they think they can say anything. Not realizing they are talking to humans. They know exactly what they are doing in the world of clicks,” wrote Anthony Speziale (@a86spez) on X.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Glenn said Tyrod Taylor will be the one commanding the offense against the Baltimore Ravens. This means Justin Fields is going to be benched.

Glenn hinted that this was going to happen last week, but this time it’s happening for real. Both parties have been informed according to Rapoport. Now, it’s a veteran presence behind center.

Taylor is a new dynamic, but not precisely an upgrade

Taylor is a well-known quarterback in the NFL. He was a starter back in the day, but ended up being a journeyman. Taylor already played three games this season, starting one of them. He is 0-1 and has completed only 62.3% of his passes, with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Taylor won’t be a world beater, but at least could provide some maturity in the quarterback position, something that Justin Fields hasn’t done. Fields is a bit wild and erratic, Taylor is more poised and calm. That doesn’t mean he is an upgrade, after all, he has been a backup for a reason.

The Jets will face a desperate team

The Ravens are a desperate team trying to catch up and get a playoff spot. Also, they are on a four-game winning streak. They are unbeaten since the bye week, and the Jets shouldn’t be a team that concern Baltimore.

The Jets have the third worst record in the NFL. They are 2-8, only behind the 1-9 Titans and the 2-9 Giants. The only other teams with a 2-8 record are the Browns and the Saints.