What Happened to Justin Skyler Fields?
Justin Fields is an American professional football quarterback who has played for the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets. Known for his dual-threat ability, Fields was a first-round draft pick in 2021. As of March 16, 2026, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he is expected to provide depth and potentially see early playing time due to an injury to Patrick Mahomes.
Quick Answer
Justin Fields, the former Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets quarterback, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on March 16, 2026, in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. He joins the Chiefs as a backup, but with starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL, Fields is anticipated to receive significant reps during the offseason and potentially start early in the 2026 season. This marks his fourth NFL team since being drafted 11th overall in 2021.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Kennesaw, Georgia
Justin Skyler Fields was born in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ohio State Buckeyes Career
Fields played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year twice and appearing in the 2021 National Championship Game.
Drafted by Chicago Bears
Justin Fields was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, who traded up to acquire him.
Sets Rushing Records with Bears
During his second season, Fields set the single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards (178) and became the third NFL quarterback to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season.
Career Highs Amidst Uncertainty
Fields finished his third season with career highs in completion percentage (61.4%) and passing yards (2,562), but his future with the Bears became uncertain as they held the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. He was initially named the backup to Russell Wilson.
Backup Role and Declined Option with Steelers
Fields backed up Russell Wilson, starting some games due to injury, and the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the season. He led the Steelers to a 4-2 record in his starts.
Signs with New York Jets
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets, including $30 million in guaranteed money.
Named Jets' Starting Quarterback
Jets general manager Darren Mougey announced that Justin Fields would be the team's starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Benched After Inconsistent Play with Jets
Fields was benched after nine starts with the Jets, during which he threw for 1,259 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 1 interception, and the team went 2-7.
Geno Smith Expected to Replace Fields as Jets' Starter
Reports emerged that Geno Smith was expected to replace Justin Fields as the New York Jets' starting quarterback, leaving Fields' future with the team uncertain.
Traded to Kansas City Chiefs
Justin Fields was traded by the New York Jets to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Chiefs will assume $3 million of his 2026 salary.
Potential for Early Playing Time with Chiefs
With Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL, Fields is expected to receive ample reps during the offseason and training camp, and could potentially play early in the 2026 season.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Justin Fields' NFL journey began with high expectations after a stellar college career at Ohio State, where he was a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, with the Bears trading up to acquire him. During his three seasons in Chicago (2021-2023), Fields showcased his dynamic rushing ability, setting a single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards and becoming only the third NFL quarterback to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2022. Despite flashes of brilliance, his passing development was inconsistent, and the Bears finished the 2023 season with him achieving career highs in completion percentage (61.4%) and passing yards (2,562), but his future in Chicago became uncertain as the team held the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
On March 16, 2024, Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. In Pittsburgh, he was initially slated to back up Russell Wilson. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2024 season. Fields did see action in 10 games for the Steelers in 2024, starting some due to Wilson's injury, leading the team to a 4-2 record in his starts and limiting turnovers, but Pittsburgh ultimately decided to move on.
Fields then signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets on March 13, 2025, with $30 million fully guaranteed. He was announced as the Jets' starting quarterback on March 30, 2025. However, his tenure with the Jets was challenging. He was benched after nine games in the 2025 season, during which he averaged less than 140 passing yards per game and the team went 2-7 in his starts. His performance, including a game with only 45 passing yards, was widely criticized.
As of March 12, 2026, reports indicated that veteran quarterback Geno Smith was expected to replace Fields as the Jets' bridge starter, and Fields' status with the team was uncertain. The Jets had signed Smith and were considering cutting Fields, which would incur a significant dead cap hit but save cap space. However, on March 16, 2026, Justin Fields was traded from the New York Jets to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Chiefs will take on $3 million of his 2026 salary, with the Jets still paying the majority. This move provides the Chiefs with an experienced backup, especially as starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL, potentially giving Fields an opportunity for significant playing time early in the 2026 season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Justin Skyler Fields made different choices?