Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL back in December. While the Chiefs hope that he will be ready by the start of the season, it sounds like the team is already putting together a contingency plan.
According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kansas City has decided to trade for former New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields.
“Trade: the New York Jets are finalizing a deal that will send QB Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, pending a physical, per ESPN sources. Other teams were interested, but Fields’ preference was to go to Kansas City,” Schefter wrote in a post on X on Monday morning.
As Schefter noted, the move should give Kansas City a reliable veteran presence during the offseason while Mahomes works his way back from injury.
“Patrick Mahomes suffered his season-ending knee injury on December 14. At a minimum, adding Justin Fields allows him to take the bulk of the reps during offseason workouts and potentially into training camp as Mahomes continues to recover in hopes of being ready for the regular season,” Schefter added.
While the Chiefs continue to hope that Mahomes will be ready to play by the start of the season, fans were reading between the lines at what this move could mean.
Many saw this as a telling move from the Chiefs that suggests they are not as confident in Mahomes’ recovery as they’re letting on.
“I think this moves signifies KC not believing in Pat’s recovery,” one fan wrote in a post on X.
“He won’t be ready and Justin Fields will play himself into another starting role just like Malik Willis did and the Chiefs will walk away with a better pick for him than they gave away,” someone else said.
“Them actively trading for a starter-level guy to take first-team reps all summer means they are definitely way more worried about mahomes being ready for week one than they are letting on. the timeline is about to start stressing,” another fan wrote.
“Probably means Mahomes isn’t ready week 1,” someone else speculated.
“I think this moves signifies KC not believing in Pat’s recovery,” another person wrote.
“Yeah this doesn’t make me feel good about Mahomes’ rehab,” someone said.
If Mahomes is not ready to return by the start of the season, Fields provides the team with an experienced option. However, the Chiefs would obviously hope that won’t be the case.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.