Justin Fields is getting a front-row education in Kansas City, and he knows exactly who the teacher is.
As the Chiefs work through training camp ahead of the 2026 NFL season, Fields said backing up Patrick Mahomes has opened the door to learning one of the league’s most established offensive systems. In a conversation with Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith, Fields made it clear that Mahomes hasn’t been a passive presence in the quarterback room.
“Any question that I have, he’s been in this offense for 10 years now so he knows every little detail,” Fields said of Mahomes. “Any questions that have popped up, he’s explaining to me perfectly. It’s great learning from him, him showing me the ropes.”
For Fields, the move comes with a very different feel than the one he’s had for most of his NFL career. He has spent years in the spotlight as a starter, but in Kansas City he’s stepping into a backup role and using it as a chance to broaden his game.
“I’m just trying to expand my horizon, do things I’ve never done before, the amount of concepts, the amount of actions, the amount of stuff we have in the offense,” Fields said. “I’m just trying to practice on that, and really emulate Pat.”
Fields, the former No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has already taken a winding path since leaving the Chicago Bears after the 2023 season. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before landing with the New York Jets in 2025.
Last season with the Jets, Fields appeared in nine games and completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He also added 383 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 71 carries.
Now he’s in a different chapter, backing up one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks while adjusting to Andy Reid’s offense. For Kansas City, that gives the team an experienced and athletic reserve. For Fields, it’s another chance to keep developing while the Chiefs chase another Super Bowl run in 2026.
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Armstrong has already taken a winding path to Kansas City, with stops on other teams' practice squads before landing with the Chiefs. What gives him a chance is the combination of his size and the kind of route-running ability he showed at Arkansas, traits that can stand out in a competition where the depth chart behind the top options is still very much up for grabs. [Read more 🡒]