Chiefs Announce Justin Fields News Days Before Start of NFL Season vs. Broncos
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Chiefs Announce Justin Fields News Days Before Start of NFL Season vs. Broncos
ST JOSEPH, MISSOURI - JULY 26: Head coach Andy Reid participates during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp alongside quarterbacks Chris Oladokun #19, Patrick Mahomes #15 and Justin Fields #6 at Missouri Western State University on July 25, 2026 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Getty
Jonathan Adams·HEAVY
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ST JOSEPH, MISSOURI - JULY 25: Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes #15, Justin Fields #6 and Chris Oladokun #19 walk toward the practice fields during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University on July 25, 2026 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Getty
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 15: Quarterback Justin Fields #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes during warm-ups prior to the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Getty
There was some speculation that Nussmeier could overtake Fields as the Chiefs backup quarterback after his solid preseason play. Given Mahomes is returning from a serious ACL injury, the Chiefs backup quarterback has added scrutiny heading into the season.
Days before the team's season opener against the Broncos, the Chiefs revealed their unofficial depth chart. There is no surprise at quarterback as Fields is listed as the Chiefs backup quarterback behind Mahomes.
Nussmeier sits as Kansas City's third quarterback on the depth chart.
The Chiefs Traded for QB Justin Fields as Insurance Amid Patrick Mahomes' Injury
GettyST JOSEPH, MISSOURI – JULY 25: Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes #15, Justin Fields #6 and Chris Oladokun #19 walk toward the practice fields during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University on July 25, 2026 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The news makes a lot of sense given the Chiefs traded for Fields during the offseason as Mahomes recovered from a season-ending ACL injury. Fields serves as a bit of added insurance just in case Mahomes suffers any setbacks with his injury.
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The veteran quarterback offers plenty of experience thanks to his time with thePittsburgh SteelersandChicago Bears. Fields has appeared in 59NFLgames over his career, including 53 starts.
During the 2021 NFL draft, the Bears selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick following a standout career at Ohio State.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid on QB Justin Fields: 'He's a Legitimate Quarterback'
GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 15: Quarterback Justin Fields #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes during warm-ups prior to the preseason game against theLos Angeles Ramsat Arrowhead Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Fields has already earned the trust of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs are clearly hoping Fields does not have to see the field this season, but the longtime starting quarterback serves as a nice backup plan.
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Back in April, Reid outlined what the team sees in Fields.
"I appreciate Justin and the way he's gone about everything so far," Reid said of Fields,per Yahoo Sports."I mentioned down at the owner(s) meetings that we didn't bring him in to be a gadget guy. Although he can do every gadget there is, but we didn't bring him in to do that."
"He's a legitimate quarterback, a starting quarterback in the National Football League, and we're lucky enough to have him here. If that's the role that he plays early in the season, we have full confidence that he can do a great job with that."
The future is still bright for Nussmeier as the rookie appears to have staying power despite being a seventh-round pick. Nussmeier could emerge as the Chiefs' long-term backup quarterback behind Mahomes beginning in 2027.
