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The Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 249th overall.
Nussmeier was one of the draft's most notable passers but wasn't selected until late in the final round. The 24-year-old battled injuries in 2025 and is coming off a down season. However, he posted strong performances at the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.
Tests at the NFL combine revealed a cyst on his spine as the cause of the oblique pain that affected his 2025 campaign, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Doctors reportedly don't see it as a short- or long-term issue.
Nussmeier joins quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields in Kansas City. The Chiefs traded for Fields as their No. 2 option this offseason while Mahomes recovers after tearing his ACL in December.
Nussmeier's predraft profile
Nussmeier was once considered a potential headliner of the 2026 class. But after a rough senior season culminated in back-to-back benchings, he's more of a mid-round lottery ticket. He certainly still has upside, as the LSU product has demonstrated several traits that teams look for in quarterback prospects. The natural arm talent was a big selling point before last year's struggles with an abdominal injury. Nussmeier can make every throw on the field, and he's no stranger to highlight-reel plays when forced to work off-platform. He also plays with good anticipation and shows an ability to buy time within the pocket, reset, and deliver downfield.
It all sounds like the profile of a potential starter at the next level, and that outcome is still on the table. But Nussmeier's drop-off last year was a reminder of the narrow margin for error with a gunslinger like this. The highs have to be consistent if they're to compensate for the lows that come with his aggressive, borderline reckless style. Nussmeier has a chance to be a steal if he can cut down on the turnover issues in the NFL. Otherwise, he likely settles in as a high-variance backup.
