Justin Fields Traded

Edition #1049: Darren Mougey finds a resolution to a year one mistake by trading Justin to Kansas City.

Good morning ☕

“Don’t double down on a loser” escalating commitment to a mistake only increases losses and sends you further into the black hole.

That’s usually the advice offered up in investment circles, but it’s extremely fitting for today’s newsletter.

One of Mougey’s first big decisions as GM of the Jets was to hand Justin Fields to a 2 year $40 million deal. His tenure lasted just 9 starts, cost the Jets $27M which works out at just under $14M per win.

Let’s just all agree that it was a horrible mistake. But unlike so many GMs and decision makers in professional sports, Mougey didn’t double down.

Yesterday he made his 4th trade of the off-season and 12th trade in just over a year as the head decision maker at 1JD, sending Justin Fields to Kansas City.

Here’s why it works for everyone:

Jets: Got $4 million in cap relief which will cover the cost of Geno Smith in 2026, they also received a 2027 6th round draft pick. According to Spotrac that does mean the Jets take on $19M of dead cap which includes $7M of guaranteed salary. But they moved him and got space and draft pick, that’s a win.

Chiefs: Mahomes had ACL and LCL repair surgery in December and although he stated in January everything was on track for him to be back at camp, a set-back can happen at any time. Fields has 53 starts in the NFL which gives him experience to at least run an offense through training camp. They’re buying low, paying him around league minimum and can cut ties at any point.

Fields: Gets to go and learn under Andy Reid in a winning environment while picking the brain of Patrick Mahomes and the rest of that stellar coaching staff. After failing with his first team since 2021 last season, Fields gets a lifeline to rejuvenate his career and KC is one of the best environments to be in for that. This is a lucky break for Fields and likely his last chance to stick in the NFL.

I liked the Fields signing. I won’t hide away and pretend that I didn’t based on the outcome. But I love this trade for everyone. I still like Fields and wish him the best and this gives him a great opportunity. For the Jets it' covers the cost of our QB in 2026 and we get another late round pick that can either be used to move up in the draft, or be used on a trade like the one we saw for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Never underestimate how valuable those late round picks can be.

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NEWS & NOTES

• Jowon Briggs officially signed his ERFA contract yesterday which means he’s tied to the Jets for a non-guaranteed $1.075M base salary in 2026.

• Minkah Fitzpatrick’s contract details have been released. It’s a 3-year deal for $40M with $20.5M fully guaranteed. Due to the addition of void years his cap hit for 2026 is just $7.4M. The Jets do have options to exit the deal after the 2027 season without much punishment.