Chiefs HC Andy Reid shuts down this Justin Fields narrative

Shortly after it was learned that the Kansas City Chiefs had acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets in March, some assumed that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid would follow in the footsteps of the Pittsburgh Steelers and create special packages for Fields. 

Reid may make use of Fields' unique athletic gifts this fall, but it sounds like the legendary coach views the 27-year-old as a legitimate backup for Patrick Mahomes.

Why Chiefs, Andy Reid wanted to acquire Justin Fields

"We’ll see how that goes," Reid said about possibly playing Fields at multiple positions, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I’ll talk with him and see where he’s at with that. But he’s more than a gadget guy. That’s not how I’m looking at it. That’s not why we brought him in. We brought him in to play quarterback if he’s needed to play quarterback. And then whatever goes from there — if he gets bored, we’ll have a couple of things for him."

It remains somewhat unclear if Reid will need Fields to take meaningful snaps at quarterback this coming September. Mahomes is seemingly serious about starting Kansas City's 2026 regular-season opener after he underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL and torn LCL he suffered in the middle of December 2025. However, Reid recently declined to say if Mahomes will be able to participate when training-camp practices get underway in late July. 

What Andy Reid likes about Justin Fields

"I like his game," Reid added about Fields. "He can do the drop-back game, he can do the movement stuff, play-action — whether it’s a naked or a sprint-out game. He has that whole package that he can do. He understands the screen game, understands how to set it up. He obviously — he’s going to be one of the better athletes on the field when he’s out there. He’s fast, big, likes to play the game. So, I mean, all the stuff I like." 

The Chicago Bears, Steelers and Jets all gave up on Fields in different ways over the first five seasons of his career. Perhaps working with Mahomes and Reid will help Fields unlock the potential many thought he had when he entered the league in the spring of 2021.