Justin Fields may have just helped the Jets land their new backup QB

In a roundabout way, probably!

Charlie Baduini

Former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields / Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The New York Jets pulled off the unthinkable on Monday morning, shipping quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick.

In what was another stroke of genius from general manager Darren Mougey, the Jets were not only able to get out from under a contract they had no plans keeping on their books, but even got a draft pick out of it, a Day 3 selection in what's supposed to be a special 2027 class.

But the Jets may not even end up using that pick, considering they still have a few needs to address this offseason, as we're only a week into free agency.

They have their starter in Geno Smith, yes. But who is backing him up? It certainly can't be Brady Cook, and it's unlikely Bailey Zappe will be the main insurance policy. Could the Jets flip that pick for a more experienced backup?

Justin Fields trade could net Jets their new backup quarterback

Heading into free agency, there were rumors regarding the Jets, and specifically offensive coordinator Frank Reich, having immense interest in bringing in veteran QB Carson Wentz to be the backup in New York. Evidently, the interest has not been mutual.

With limited options on the free agent market, outside of possibly re-signing Tyrod Taylor, the Jets may have no choice but to flip a pick to a team for their backup in 2026, and the Fields trade gave them the ammunition to do just that.

Carolina Panthers backup Andy Dalton could be available. The Panthers signed former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal in free agency, seemingly making the "Red Rifle" expendable. New York could send a Day 3 pick in either the 2026 or 2027 drafts to get it done.

A team that Mougey has extensive trading history with in just his first year on the job in New York is the Tennessee Titans. With Cam Ward the obvious starter in Tennessee, could the Jets strike a trade for their former second-round pick, Will Levis?

Levis would be the most exciting. As a young player, he's got a better shot at being the future in New York than, say, a Dalton or Wentz. He's flashed some upside in 21 career starts, throwing for 3,899 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Regardless, the Jets are going to find themselves a backup with experience at some point this offseason, and the draft pick they got in the Fields trade may just be the key to completing a potential trade.

Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini covers the New York Jets as a site expert for The Jet Press and FanSided. He is a sports journalist based in Northern New Jersey with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in print and broadcast journalism. Baduini’s byline can also be seen on Heavy and The Sporting News, where he covers several teams across the NFL and NBA. His work has been featured in Heavy, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and Yardbarker. He also serves as a seasonal intern for ESPN, working as a production assistant for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony every year since 2022. Baduini has been a Jets fan for as long as he can remember, with his family's fandom dating back to the 1960s when his grandfather, Louis, became a season ticket holder. His family has since held on to the tickets to this day. He is an avid fan of the New York Knicks and New York Mets.