Career Timeline of Justin Fields: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Justin Fields, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Justin Fields is an American football quarterback currently playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. He gained prominence during his college career, initially with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to Ohio State. As a Buckeye, Fields twice earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award and led his team to the 2021 National Championship Game. Fields is recognized for his athletic ability and dual-threat capabilities as a passer and runner.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2016: Bears Started 0-3

In 2016, The series of losses led to the bears start of 0-3.

October 2017: Committed to University of Georgia

In October 2017, Justin Fields committed to the University of Georgia to play college football, withdrawing a previous commitment to Penn State.

2017: Bears Started 0-2

In 2017, The loss in week 2 against the Buccaneers made the bears start with 0-2.

2017: Named Elite 11 MVP and Suffered Season-Ending Injury

In the summer of 2017, Justin Fields was named MVP of the Elite 11 quarterback competition. Late in his senior year, during a nationally televised game on ESPN, he suffered a broken finger requiring season-ending surgery.

2018: Freshman Season at Georgia

During his true freshman season at Georgia in 2018, Justin Fields served as the backup to starting quarterback Jake Fromm. Fields made his debut against Austin Peay, completing seven of eight passes, including a touchdown. He also had two rushing touchdowns against Tennessee. In a game against UMass, Fields threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.

2018: Announced Intent to Transfer to Ohio State

Following Georgia's loss to Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship Game, Justin Fields announced his intent to transfer to Ohio State.

2018: Featured in QB1: Beyond the Lights

In 2018, Justin Fields' senior year was documented in the second season of the Netflix series QB1: Beyond the Lights.

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2018: Sought Waiver for Immediate Eligibility

In 2018, after announcing his intent to transfer, Justin Fields sought a waiver to play immediately for Ohio State, arguing "mitigating circumstances" due to a racial slur incident at Georgia.

February 8, 2019: Granted Immediate Eligibility by NCAA

On February 8, 2019, Justin Fields was granted immediate eligibility for the 2019 season by the NCAA after seeking a waiver based on mitigating circumstances.

2019: First Season with the Buckeyes

During his first season with the Buckeyes in 2019, Justin Fields led the team to a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy running and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference. In the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson, he had 320 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

2020: Heisman Trophy Candidate

In 2020, Justin Fields entered the season as a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He supported playing the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic and started an online petition.

2020: Led Buckeyes to Undefeated Season

In 2020, Justin Fields led the Buckeyes to another undefeated regular season and Big Ten Championship. He had a notable performance against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semi-final, throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns. They advanced to the National Championship but lost to Alabama.

January 18, 2021: Declared for NFL Draft

On January 18, 2021, Justin Fields announced that he would be forgoing his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft.

June 10, 2021: Signed Rookie Contract with Bears

On June 10, 2021, Justin Fields signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $18.8 million fully guaranteed, with the Chicago Bears.

2021: Appeared in National Championship Game

In 2021, Justin Fields appeared in the National Championship Game as a college football player for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2021: Drafted by Chicago Bears

In 2021, Justin Fields was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He later set the single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards and became the third NFL quarterback ever to have a 1,000-yard rushing season.

2022: Injuries and Season's End

During the 2022 season, Justin Fields suffered a shoulder injury, which sidelined him for a week, and later a hip injury. He became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for a touchdown in six consecutive games. The Bears ended the season with a league-worst record.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In 2022, Justin Fields had a comeback victory over the 49ers, but the Bears lost four of their next five games. They secured a win against the New England Patriots, with Fields contributing a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown.

2022: Traded future draft picks

In 2022, because the Chicago Bears traded up with the New York Giants in exchange for the 20th overall pick, their fifth-round pick in 2021, and their first and fourth-round picks in 2022, Justin Fields was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

2023: Rushing Record and League Rankings

In 2023, Justin Fields finished his second year with 1,143 rushing yards, making him the third NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He also led the league in sacks taken and fumbles. Fields was ranked 86th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

2023: Started Season with Losses

In 2023, Justin Fields' season began with a loss against the Packers. Subsequent losses against the Buccaneers and Chiefs led to the Bears starting 0-3 for the first time since 2016.

March 16, 2024: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On March 16, 2024, Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Fields' contract.

October 15, 2024: Demoted to Backup Quarterback

On October 15, 2024, Justin Fields was demoted to backup quarterback duties for the Steelers as Wilson's calf injury healed. During Week 11's victory over the Ravens, Fields returned to the quarterback position for one play.

2024: Future Uncertain with Bears

In 2024, with the Bears holding the first overall pick in the NFL draft, Justin Fields faced uncertainty about his future as the team's starting quarterback, with questions about whether Chicago would stick with Fields or select a new quarterback in the draft.

2024: Limited Role and Season's End

Throughout the 2024 season, Justin Fields was utilized in multiple "package plays". He finished the season with 1,106 passing yards, 10 total touchdowns, and one interception, appearing in 10 total games and starting six. Fields briefly appeared in two package plays during the Steelers' loss to the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card playoff game.

March 13, 2025: Fields signed with the New York Jets

On March 13, 2025, Justin Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.

2025: Conditional Draft Pick

In 2025, the conditional sixth-round draft pick from the Steelers would have converted to a fourth if Justin Fields played 51% of the team's snaps.

March 18, 2026: Jets trade Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs

On March 18, 2026, the New York Jets traded Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft. As part of the trade, the Jets agreed to pay $8 million to Fields, while the Chiefs will pay him $3 million.