Chiefs urged to sign former first-round quarterback in 2026 amid Patrick Mahomes' injury

The Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback situation is looking incredibly bleak to end the 2025 season.

With Patrick Mahomes out with a torn ACL and Gardner Minshew also dealing with a knee injury, Kansas City will likely now turn to Chris Oladokun as its starter.

Obviously, the Chiefs' season is already over, so there's no harm in losing the final few games. However, if Mahomes can't return for the start of the 2026 campaign, the franchise will need to find a viable starting option at the most pivotal position in the sport.

Though Mahomes is targeting a Week 1 return in 2026, it remains to be seen if that becomes a reality. As a result, The Athletic's Jeff Howe believes the Chiefs should look to sign Justin Fields in free agency this offseason if he's released by the New York Jets to fill in for Mahomes.

Howe also mentions that Fields could work well with the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.

"Fields should seek out the Kansas City Chiefs, Colts or Vikings. Whether or not Patrick Mahomes (torn ACL) will be ready for Week 1, Fields could do a lot worse than Andy Reid’s offense for a spell," Howe wrote.

Fields had a rough 2025 campaign, as the 2021 first-round pick was benched midway through the season after leading the Jets to a 2-7 record and posting some uninspiring passing performances.

New York will eat a good amount of dead cap if they release Fields, but it would be the correct decision, as both sides need a fresh start. The Jets are slated to have a top-five pick in April's draft and should find their next quarterback with that selection.

It's clear that Fields isn't capable of being a long-term starter, as shown by his stint with the Chicago Bears and first season in New York. However, he did have success in 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their starter for six games, so Fields has shown that he can be a solid contributor when placed in the right situation.

Andy Reid would be the perfect coach for Fields, as Reid would play to the Ohio State product's strengths. Fields could provide serviceable play for Kansas City to start the year if Mahomes isn't cleared to return.

Though his NFL career has been underwhelming, Fields also hasn't been put in a position to succeed. Playing under Reid with the Chiefs would be an ideal situation for Fields, and Kansas City could do worse for a backup for Mahomes in 2026.