Fields Seeks Redemption in Preseason with Chiefs
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Justin Fields arrived in the NFL as a beacon of hope for the Chicago Bears, a first-round draft pick with the arm talent and athleticism to redefine a franchise. But the path from celebrated prospect to backup quarterback has been anything but smooth. Now wearing a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, Fields is using the preseason to remind the league of the player he once was—and the player he still believes he can be.
In Saturday's preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fields did not make a headline-grabbing mistake, but he also failed to deliver the kind of splash that would force a national conversation. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 64 yards, added 15 yards on the ground, and finished with an 86.8 quarterback rating. The Chiefs lost 16-15, a result that matters little in the grand scheme of the preseason but carries weight for a player trying to prove his worth. His performance was good, not great—a pattern that has defined much of his professional career.
This outing followed a crisp preseason debut on August 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, where Fields went a perfect 4-for-4 for 41 yards in a 20-12 loss. Those flashes of efficiency, combined with his ability to scramble outside the pocket and extend plays, are the traits that once made the Bears believe he could be their franchise quarterback. But that belief eroded after three inconsistent seasons, leading to his trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2024.
In Pittsburgh, Fields showed signs of resurgence. He started six games, going 4-2, and threw for 1,106 yards while rushing for 289. He accounted for 10 total touchdowns against just two turnovers—one interception and one lost fumble. Yet the Steelers remained unconvinced. They let him walk in free agency, and Fields signed a two-year contract with the New York Jets. His tenure in New York was a struggle: a 2-7 record as a starter, marred by inconsistent play and a revolving door of offensive issues. After one rough season, the Jets moved on, and Fields found himself on the market again.
This time, the only offer came from the Chiefs, who needed a reliable backup for Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes, who underwent knee surgery that derailed his 2025 season, has been a full participant in training camp and is expected to start on September 14 against the Denver Broncos. Fields knows that barring an injury to the superstar quarterback, his role will be limited to holding a clipboard and offering advice from the sideline.
But Fields is not merely content to ride the bench. He views every preseason snap as an audition for the rest of the league. The hope is that his film will catch the eye of a general manager looking for a quarterback with starting experience, arm talent, and mobility. At 27 years old, Fields still has time to rewrite his narrative. He has shown he can be a dynamic playmaker when the scheme fits his strengths. The question is whether any team will give him another chance to prove it when the games count.
For now, Fields remains focused on the present. He is learning from Andy Reid's offensive system, soaking in the expertise of Mahomes, and trying to make the most of limited opportunities. The preseason may be a low-stakes environment, but for Justin Fields, it is a stage on which he can still command attention.
Article commentary
Justin Fields' journey from franchise hopeful to backup quarterback is a case study in the volatility of NFL quarterback evaluation. His preseason performances with the Kansas City Chiefs underscore a career that has been defined by flashes of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Fields' athleticism has never been in doubt. His ability to escape pressure, extend plays, and pick up yards on the ground is elite by NFL standards. In limited action this preseason, he has shown that mobility is still a weapon. But the league has increasingly moved toward quarterbacks who can win from the pocket with precision and timing. Fields' passing accuracy and decision-making under duress have been persistent concerns. His 86.8 quarterback rating against the Buccaneers is respectable but not enough to shift the perception that he is a developmental project rather than a finished product. What makes Fields' situation particularly compelling is the timing. At 27, he is young enough to be considered a long-term option, yet he has already been passed over by three teams—the Bears, Steelers, and Jets. Each franchise saw glimpses of potential but ultimately decided that Fields was not the answer. The Bears traded him after three seasons. The Steelers let him walk after a winning record. The Jets moved on after a single losing campaign. This pattern suggests that while Fields has the raw tools, he has not yet demonstrated the consistency and football IQ required to anchor an offense. His current role with the Chiefs is a strategic career move. Learning under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid could be invaluable for his development. Reid has a history of revitalizing quarterbacks, and the Chiefs' offensive system is quarterback-friendly. However, the reality is that Fields will likely not see the field unless Mahomes gets injured. The preseason is his only opportunity to sell himself to other teams, and his performances have been competent but not overwhelming. Looking ahead, Fields' best path to a starting job may be to wait for an injury or a team in desperate need of a bridge quarterback. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, or even a team with a rookie signal-caller who needs a veteran backup could emerge as suitors. But the market for retread quarterbacks is crowded, and Fields will have to outshine others like Mitchell Trubisky or Taylor Heinicke. Objectively, Fields has shown enough to warrant another chance, but he has not done enough to command it. His preseason film with the Chiefs is a reminder of his potential, but also a reflection of the gap between potential and production. The next chapter of his career will depend on whether a team is willing to bet on the former over the latter.