The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a tough reality as the 2025 season winds to a close. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined by a torn ACL and Gardner Minshew also nursing a knee injury, the team is expected to hand the reins to third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun. It’s a tough spot for any team, let alone one that’s grown accustomed to perennial contention behind one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
Let’s be honest - with Mahomes out and the playoffs out of reach, the final stretch of this season is more about survival than anything else. But the bigger concern isn’t just how the Chiefs finish 2025 - it’s what happens in 2026 if Mahomes isn’t ready for Week 1. While he’s reportedly aiming for a return by the season opener, ACL recoveries are tricky, and Kansas City needs to be prepared for every scenario.
That’s where Justin Fields enters the conversation.
According to reports, Fields could be a free agent this offseason if the New York Jets decide to move on - a move that seems increasingly likely after a rocky 2025 campaign. Fields was benched midway through the season after a 2-7 start and a string of underwhelming performances. It’s been a tough stretch for the former first-round pick, and it’s clear both he and the Jets could use a fresh start.
Now, Fields isn’t the long-term answer for most teams - his time with the Bears and Jets has shown that. But that doesn’t mean he’s without value. In fact, his brief run with the Steelers in 2024, where he started six games and found some rhythm, proved that he can still be a capable contributor in the right system.
And few systems are better suited to a quarterback like Fields than Andy Reid’s.
Reid has a long history of tailoring his offense to the strengths of his quarterbacks, and Fields brings a unique skill set - mobility, arm strength, and the ability to extend plays - that could thrive under Reid’s guidance. If Mahomes isn’t ready to go in Week 1, Fields could offer a stopgap solution with upside. He wouldn’t be expected to carry the offense - just manage the game, make plays when needed, and keep the ship steady until No. 15 is back under center.
Even if Mahomes is ready by Week 1, bringing in Fields as a backup makes sense. The Chiefs have seen firsthand how quickly depth at quarterback can be tested, and Fields would be a more dynamic insurance policy than most teams have behind their starter.
Other teams - like the Vikings and Colts - are also expected to be in the mix if Fields hits free agency. But Kansas City presents a unique opportunity: a chance to reset his career under one of the league’s best offensive minds, without the pressure of being “the guy.”
For Fields, that could be the perfect landing spot. And for the Chiefs, it’s a smart contingency plan in case Mahomes needs more time.
Kansas City has some big decisions ahead this offseason, and quarterback depth just jumped to the top of the list. Fields may not be a franchise savior, but in this case, he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to be ready - just in case.