The Green Bay Packers must identify a new QB2 after Malik Willis left in free agency to start for the Miami Dolphins, but one of their potential replacement options is no longer available.
On Monday, the New York Jets reportedly agreed to send veteran quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs for a late-round pick swap.
Fields, a dynamic runner at the quarterback position, signed with New York on a two-year contract last season, but things went horribly for him and the Jets. Now, with one year left on his deal, New York was likely to release him, but Kansas City agreed to a trade to assure they land the veteran quarterback.
Justin Fields no longer an option for Packers after trade to Chiefs
Kansas City not only needs a new backup quarterback after losing Gardner Minshew in free agency, but also a temporary starter, as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers from a torn ACL. Mahomes sustained a significant injury in Week 15 of the 2025 season, and since it happened so late in the year, there's no guarantee he'll be ready to start the season. While the veteran quarterback is motivated to do so, the Chiefs now have Fields in case Mahomes has to miss time.
For the Packers, that means they will move forward with a room that has Jordan Love as the starter, and Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord as the other two quarterbacks in the room. There was a belief that Green Bay could target Fields and undergo another reclamation project, similar to how the team did with Willis.
Considering how the Packers rehabilitated Willis' reputation as a quarterback in the league, turning him from a supposed bust to a quarterback who just signed for $67.5 million, Green Bay is an appealing destination for quarterbacks like Fields. However, the Chiefs prevented this partnership from happening.
If the Packers are interested in adding another highly-drafted quarterback and helping him develop his very clear talent, they could pivot to Anthony Richardson. Whatever direction the franchise goes in next at quarterback, it's now clear that it won't be Fields.