Full Breakdown
Garrett Nussmeier’s Draft Slide to Chiefs
4/28/2026, 1:46:25 AM
Draft Selection and Core Narrative
On February 28, 2026, the Chiefs used the 249th overall pick, acquired from the Steelers, to select LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. It was the first quarterback drafted since Patrick Mahomes in 2017 and fulfilled a long-discussed plan for a developmental backup.
College Performance and Pre-Draft Expectations
Nussmeier’s 2024 season produced 4,052 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 64.2% completion rate. He won Senior Bowl MVP, completing five of eight passes for 57 yards, one interception and a rushing TD. Scouts ranked him the No. 3 quarterback prospect and a likely first-round pick. Injuries in 2025—a spinal cyst, abdominal pain and an oblique strain—limited him to nine games, dropping his output to 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions at 67.4%.
Why It Matters for Kansas City
Mahomes is returning from a torn ACL and LCL, so the Chiefs need quarterback depth. Nussmeier offers a developmental backup and possible future trade asset.
Official Statements & Organizational Response
Chiefs VP of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team had long discussed drafting a quarterback to develop behind Mahomes and that selecting Nussmeier “fulfilled a plan” while preserving flexibility. The pick was framed as driven by circumstance, not a single medical issue.
Criticism & Analyst Perspective
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called the Commanders’ selection of Athan Kaliakmanis “off the wall,” arguing that Nussmeier would have been a more suitable backup. He described the quarterback’s slide as “alarming.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some sources attribute the slide to the spinal cyst and abdominal injury; others, including Nutt, point to LSU’s mid-season coaching changes. Nutt downplayed medical concerns, leaving the exact cause unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He performed with a level of command and poise that will serve him well in the NFL.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic
- “The Athan Kaliakmanis pick was a little off the wall. He was QB19 on my board. If Washington wanted a backup quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier was still there.” — Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN analyst
- “I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys, coach Reid and his unbelievable offensive mind and sitting behind Patrick and steal some things from him and see the game through his eyes.” — Garrett Nussmeier, ESPN interview
- “He was the odds-on favorite to be one of the top quarterbacks taken right this year.” — Ryne Nutt, Chiefs VP of Player Personnel
What’s Next for Nussmeier
Nussmeier will join Kansas City’s offseason program, study Mahomes’ film and compete for the backup role. The Chiefs expect development and may later trade him.
