Garrett Nussmeier finds himself in an intriguing situation with the Kansas City Chiefs. Selected with the No. 249 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former LSU standout quarterback has an opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL. If he impresses during training camp, he could even find himself in line for meaningful snaps sooner than expected.
The sooner depends on the health of Patrick Mahomes. Returning from a season-ending knee injury, the two-time NFL MVP is focused and committed to returning by Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, but what if he doesn’t?
The obvious answer is Justin Fields, who enters the season as Kansas City's backup quarterback. Andy Reid has a history of getting productive play from veteran quarterbacks, but if injuries linger or circumstances change, Nussmeier could become more than just a developmental project.
Once considered a high first-round pick, Nussmeier’s draft stock diminished after forgoing the 2025 NFL Draft and returning to LSU. Still, he has the pro readiness and football IQ to find his way as a starter in the NFL. Landing with the Chiefs gives Nussmeier the rare opportunity to develop behind both Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, much like Mahomes benefited from spending his rookie season behind Alex Smith.
Alex Smith believes Garrett Nussmeier landed in the ideal situation
Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith believes Kansas City is the ideal place for Nussmeier to maximize his potential.
"I think regardless of where you're drafted, he wants to reach his potential, and as a quarterback, you're such a product of the people around you, the 10 guys in the huddle, the system you run, the environment, and positions you get put in, and what more could you ask for to play for Andy Reid and learn from Patrick Mahomes, "Smith said during an interview with Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr., "what a gift, I don't care who you are, I don't care how much you want to play right now, this is a gift, and take it. There's so much you can learn, not only in the classroom, but also from one of the best in Andy Reid. This guy's been around so many quarterbacks that I think the unique thing is that all have their own tool set, and Andy's found a way for them to utilize their tool set and be them."
If Mahomes is fully 100 percent and ready to go by Week 1, the best situation for Nussmeier will be QB3 as he will get to learn behind the best and watch how both Reid and the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback runs an offense. However, if Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1 and Fields struggles, Nussmeier could unexpectedly enter the conversation sooner than anyone anticipated.
As Smith pointed out in the interview, the system will prepare the rookie for the possibility and Reid will find ways to utilize Nussmeier’s pre-snap command and quick processing once the ball is snapped. Above that, the LSU product has a competitive nature that will make him a favorite amongst Chiefs fans throughout training camp.
If injuries or circumstances force the Chiefs to look beyond Fields, Nussmeier's preparation during training camp could make him a legitimate option. At the very least, spending a season learning Reid's offense and watching Mahomes operate should accelerate his development far more than most late-round quarterbacks experience.
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