The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their quarterback depth on Saturday, selecting former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier with the No. 249 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about the newest member of the quarterback room.
1. Nussmeier threw for 41 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Nussmeier bided his time for three seasons as a backup before taking over starting duties in 2024, where he went on to throw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games.
Injuries prevented another big season in 2025, but Nussmeier still managed to throw for 1,927 yards and 12 scores in nine starts.
Overall, the 24-year-old Nussmeier ended his career with 7,699 passing yards and 52 touchdowns in 40 career games (23 starts).
2. He was the No. 3 quarterback on Dane Brugler's board.
Brugler, one of the top draft analysts out there, ranked Nussmeier behind only Fernando Mendoza (the No. 1 overall pick) and Ty Simpson (the No. 13 overall pick) among all quarterbacks in this year's class.
Here's a portion of Brugler's overall evaluation:
"His arm talent and command are foundational traits that generally translate well to the NFL."
3. He's the son of former NFL quarterback and coach Doug Nussmeier.
Nussmeier comes from some impressive football bloodlines. His father, Doug, won the 1993 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the FCS before embarking on a professional career that include stops in the NFL and CFL.
The elder Nussmeier later began a coaching career that spanned multiple stops across the collegiate and professional ranks, culminating in his current role as Offensive Coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.
Garrett considers his father to be the most influential person in his life, according to Dane Brugler's draft guide, and that guidance has now led Garrett to the NFL.
4. Nussmeier was named MVP of the Senior Bowl back in January.
Considering that Nussmeier missed significant time in 2025, the Senior Bowl presented a major opportunity to remind NFL scouts what he could do, and according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler, he didn't waste it.
Here's more from Brugler on Nussmeier, who was named MVP of the game:
"This was one of the easier choices to make — Nussmeier was the most consistent of the group, while the other quarterbacks mostly underwhelmed. Scouts were looking forward to seeing a healthy Nussmeier in Mobile, and he didn't disappoint. The MVP of Saturday's game, Nussmeier completed 5 of 8 passes for 57 yards (plus an interception on a ball that went through the hands of intended receiver John Michael Gyllenborg) and ran for the game's opening TD.
Playing in live game action for the first time in almost three months, Nussmeier quickly knocked off the rust and showed his NFL-quality arm and decision-making. His ball placement during one-on-one periods between wide receivers and cornerbacks was far more consistent than that of the other quarterbacks, and his anticipation jumped out during team drills. He performed with a level of command and poise that will serve him well in the NFL."
5. Nussmeier considers Louisiana to be home.
Nussmeier moved all over the country as a kid – 12 times, as a matter of fact – and never spent too much time in one spot, but despite the constant transition, he considers Lake Charles, Louisiana – where he was born – to be his hometown.
He played his high school football in Gainesville, Florida and in the Dallas, Texas area, however, and starred in both locations. That collective performance earned a scholarship offer from LSU, and after five seasons in Baton Rouge, Nussmeier is headed to Kansas City to join the Chiefs.
