Russell Wilson Dealt Unfortunate News Amid Latest Chiefs Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 2:34 PM ET

Reports circulated on Sunday about a possible veteran backup addition in the form of Russell Wilson behind the currently injured starter, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wilson signed with the New York Giants on a one-year, $10.5 million deal but remained unused for most of the season. He lost his starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart after opening the season with three consecutive defeats. Now, as the new league year begins, he is once again searching for a new home.

It's been three months since Mahomes tore his ACL. The three-time Super Bowl MVP has assured fans he will return in time for next season, but uncertainty remains. Furthermore, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

So Wilson looked like the perfect candidate for Kansas City. It would have been a great opportunity for the nine-time Pro Bowler. But that did not happen.

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields looks on before a game.© Peter Casey-Imagn Images

On Monday, the Chiefs acquired former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields. The 27-year-old began his collegiate career with the Georgia Bulldogs but transferred to the Ohio State Buckeyes in his sophomore year. In the two seasons he played there, Fields won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award.

In 2021, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the 11th overall pick. He spent three years there before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 and was then traded to New York the following year.

To facilitate the trade, the Jets are paying $7M of Fields' $10M guaranteed salary. KC picks up the rest, much like the Jets did when they traded for Geno Smith ($3.3M).

So, by trading Fields instead of cutting him, the Jets save $3M in cash and cap -- basically, their Geno…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 16, 2026

The Jets finished 3-14 last season and planned to release Fields before the next campaign. Instead, they traded him to Kansas City for a 2027 sixth-round pick and agreed to pay $7 million of his $10 million guaranteed 2026 salary. The Chiefs will cover the remaining $3 million.

Wilson is still on the market and continues to search for a new home ahead of next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: