Garrett Nussmeier’s draft night did not match the projections from a year ago, but his story is far from defined by where he was picked. The former Flower Mound Marcus quarterback was selected No. 249 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, landing in a situation that may ultimately maximize his long-term potential.
At Marcus, Nussmeier stood out early for his arm talent and confidence pushing the ball downfield. He threw for 3,788 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior, then followed with 2,815 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior while limiting mistakes. His ability to read defenses and attack vertically made him one of the more polished passers in Texas, earning offers from top programs before committing to LSU.
His college career took time to fully develop, but when given opportunities, he delivered. After working behind established starters early, he made a strong impression in his first major starting opportunity, throwing for 395 yards and three touchdowns in a bowl game performance that showed his command of the offense. That momentum carried into a breakout 2024 season, where he threw for 4,043 yards and 29 touchdowns, proving he could handle a full-time starting role in the SEC.
Nussmeier looked comfortable running a high-level offense, showing the ability to make layered throws, adjust protections, and stay aggressive without losing control. His arm strength allowed him to challenge tight windows, and his decision-making improved as the season progressed.
The following year presented a different challenge. Playing through an abdominal issue tied to a nerve-related condition, his production dipped to 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games. The injury affected both consistency and timing, and LSU’s offense struggled to find rhythm during key stretches. Even so, he maintained a high completion percentage and limited turnovers, showing resilience while not at full strength.
Over his career, Nussmeier completed 64 percent of his passes for 7,699 yards and 52 touchdowns. He also showed flashes of high-end quarterback play that few in his draft range could match, particularly when healthy and operating within structure.
Now he steps into a Kansas City organization known for developing quarterbacks and maximizing offensive talent. With Patrick Mahomes entrenched as the starter, Nussmeier will not be rushed, giving him time to refine his mechanics, regain full health, and adjust to the speed of the NFL.
Few teams offer a better combination of coaching, stability, and offensive creativity. For a quarterback with his skill set, it creates a path where development can take priority over immediate results.
Nussmeier has already shown what he looks like when everything is right. The arm, the confidence, the ability to take over a game. Now he steps into a situation where he can reset, learn, and build without the weight of expectations hanging over every throw.
For a quarterback who has been through both the highs and the setbacks, that might be exactly what he needed.
