Justin Fields embraces a fresh start with the Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes rehabs from knee surgery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Justin Fields is ready for whatever role the Kansas City Chiefs need from him, whether that be starting for a few games while Patrick Mahomes is still recovering from knee surgery or serving as his backup once the regular season comes around.

The biggest thing is that his fourth organization in four years made the effort to acquire him.

Earlier in the offseason, the Chiefs traded a sixth-round pick to the Jets and agreed to pick up $7 million of his guaranteed $10 million salary for the upcoming season. They needed insurance in the event Mahomes was not back by Week 1, and they also needed a backup quarterback with experience after Gardner Minshew struggled in that role with Kansas City last season.

“I was excited, excited for a new start,” Field said Tuesday in his first availability since the trade. “Of course there's tradition here, the culture here, the guys that are in the building, the experience — it was all I wanted. Definitely excited and excited to be here.”

The 27-year-old Fields had signed a two-year, $40 million deal — with $30 million guaranteed — with New York last March. But he was just 2-7 as a starter, throwing for 1,259 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. He threw for fewer than 55 yards on four occasions, including a season-low 27 yards in a loss to Buffalo in Week 2.

When the Jets traded for Geno Smith, it became clear that Fields would be moving on. New York was hopeful that it could find a trade partner, rather than simply releasing him, and general manager Darren Mougey found a taker in Kansas City.

“I appreciate Justin and the way he's gone about everything so far. He's been great with everything,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I do not know him as well as I will have known him once we get through a few weeks here, but I like from afar what I've seen.”

The Chiefs began the first phase of their offseason program Monday, but coaches are prohibited from on-field work with players.

“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,” Reid said. “He’s a legitimate quarterback, a starting quarterback in the National Football League, and we’re lucky enough to have him here. And 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. So far, I would tell you that’s how I look at it.”

Mahomes has made it clear he plans to be back on the field for Week 1. He's attending the voluntary offseason program in Kansas City, where he's been doing rehab work with the Chiefs' training staff, and has been seen around town at places such as the Big 12 men's basketball tournament.

He's also posted videos on social media of himself doing some heavy workouts.

“He goes to the meetings. He can lift, do all that. Rehab. That's the phase he's in right now,” Reid said. “We'll just see. Kind of play it by ear, see where he's at. He's doing great. But we've just got to be smart with this thing.”

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FILE - New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall, File)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — When it comes to choosing a direction in the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears have some flexibility.

And if they can replicate last year's success, they'll really be in good shape.

“We feel prepared. We put in the time,” general manager Ryan Poles said on Tuesday. “When we’re on the clock, I’ve got a ton of confidence things are going to work out just the way we planned them to be. If things start to shift and move, we’re agile enough to make adjustments if that’s moving up, moving back, we’ll be ready for anything that comes our way.”

The Bears have seven picks in the draft, starting at No. 25 on Thursday, as they try to build on a breakthrough season.

Chicago went from finishing last in the NFC North to capturing the division championship with an 11-6 record in coach Ben Johnson's first year. Quarterback Caleb Williams made big strides in his second season and threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards.

The Bears advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years by beating the rival Green Bay Packers in a wild-card game before losing an overtime thriller to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

It was quite a ride for the team and the fans. A big part of that success was what happened on draft weekend, and the Bears hope to do it again.

Poles drafted four big contributors on offense last year. He took tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick, added receiver Luther Burden and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo in the second round and selected running back Kyle Monangai in the seventh.

Loveland led Chicago in receptions (58) and yards (713) and tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (six). Trapilo played in 14 regular-season games before tearing the patella tendon in his left knee in the wild-card win over Green Bay, an injury that is expected to keep him out for most of next season.

The speedy Burden had 652 yards receiving, and Monangai ran for 783 while forming a productive tandem with D’Andre Swift.

Can this year's picks have a similar impact, particularly on the defense?

“Colston Loveland shows up every week," assistant general manager Jeff King said. “Luther Burden shows up in big games at critical moments. Kyle Monangai carried the load when we had to lean on him. Right? That goes to more the character than the talent. And they’re really talented. So. Yeah, if it lines up like that defensively, sure. But we’re going to have to not lean on last year. We have to divorce ourselves from that success and start over.”

The Bears had just 35 sacks last season. Their only player in double digits was Montez Sweat with 10, and no one else had more than six.

Chicago also lost its top four safeties in free agency, including three-time All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. The Bears did sign former Seattle Seahawk Coby Bryant, but they could still use help there.

King said they won't necessarily be drafting for need.

“If it’s equal, the need may come into play here or there," he said. “But at the end of the day, you’re not going to go wrong by taking the best football player. I think we all agree with that.”

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