Full Breakdown
Kansas City Chiefs Select LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in Seventh Round
4/26/2026, 4:29:14 AM
Core Event – Draft Night Selection
On April 25, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs used their seventh-round, No. 249 overall pick (some reports list No. 233) to draft former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The selection concluded the 2026 NFL Draft’s quarterback class, making Nussmeier the final quarterback taken. The pick was made in Pittsburgh during the draft’s final day.
Background & Context – From Heisman Talk to Injury-Limited Senior Year
Entering the 2025 college season, Nussmeier was a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and projected as a first-round NFL prospect. He posted a breakout junior year in 2024 with 4,052 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and a 64.2 % completion rate. A core/abdominal injury sustained in fall camp limited him to nine games in 2025, during which he recorded 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. The injury was later linked to a cyst on his spine that pressed on a nerve, causing oblique pain. The decline in production caused his draft stock to tumble from a potential top-three pick to the final round.
Data & Statistics – College Production and Combine Performance
- Career passing yards at LSU: > 7,000
- 2024 season: 4,052 yd, 29 TD, 12 INT, 64.2 % completions
- 2025 season: 1,927 yd, 12 TD, 5 INT, 67.4 % completions (source 3)
- NFL Combine: participated only in the throwing drills; received a B-plus rating (source 3)
- Pro Day (March 2026): completed 69 of 72 passes (source 3)
- ESPN draft grade: 75 for a seventh-round selection (source 2)
Official Statements & Responses – Team Rationale and Player Outlook
Chiefs officials indicated the selection adds depth to a quarterback room that includes starter Patrick Mahomes (rehabbing a torn ACL) and recent acquisition Justin Fields. Head coach Andy Reid’s history of developing quarterbacks was cited as a factor in targeting Nussmeier as a developmental project. Nussmeier expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting his desire to prove he belongs in the NFL and to learn under Reid and Mahomes. The organization framed the pick as a low-risk, high-upside addition given Nussmeier’s arm talent and prior production.
Criticism & Opposition – Analyst Concerns
Analysts highlighted several red flags:
- Lance Zierlein described Nussmeier as an “undersized pocket passer with legitimate arm talent” but noted “inconsistent diagnosing coverages and working through progressions.”
- Mel Kiper Jr. and Louis Riddick attributed the slide primarily to injury concerns rather than talent.
- Observers pointed to durability questions, a history of “gunslinger” tendencies, and a propensity for turnovers when off-platform throws are attempted.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Discrepancies in Available Data
- Pick number: Most sources list No. 249; one source cites No. 233.
- Physical measurements: Reported heights range from 6-1 to 6-2; weights vary between 203 lb and 205 lb.
- Medical issue: Some reports call it a spinal cyst, others a cyst on the back; injury descriptions include abdominal, core, oblique, and patellar tendinitis.
- Long-term risk: While doctors deem the cyst “asymptomatic,” the potential need for future surgery remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It has been, obviously, a long process of trying to do that, but I feel great.” — Garrett Nussmeier, quarterback, LSU
- “But I couldn’t have been more excited to see that area code pop up.” — Garrett Nussmeier
- “It’s a great opportunity for me to learn and develop and be under a great coach (Andy Reid) and obviously behind one of the best quarterbacks of all time. I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys.” — Garrett Nussmeier
- “There’s something going on here,” — Louis Riddick, NFL Network analyst
- “It’s the injury issue,” — Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN analyst
- “undersized pocket passer with legitimate arm talent that has not been able to make up for some flaws in his game.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL Network analyst
What’s Next – Role and Outlook in Kansas City
Nussmeier will enter training camp competing for the third-quarterback spot behind Mahomes and Fields. If Mahomes misses early-season action, Nussmeier could see limited reps in preseason and potentially serve as a backup in Week 1. The Chiefs view the selection as a developmental investment, giving Nussmeier the chance to refine his decision-making and durability under Reid’s mentorship.
