Kansas City Chiefs took Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, ending a pursuit that drew late interest from Green Bay. This locks in developmental depth behind Patrick Mahomes and secures a high-upside project for Andy Reid’s system. Scouts see a clean release and quick feet that fit modern play-action schemes.
Selection timing insulated the room from bidding wars while letting the LSU product land in stable hands. The club avoided overpaying in free agency and preserved draft equity to address defensive gaps later in Day 3.
Background and Context
Kansas City Chiefs entered the offseason needing backup insurance after losing Malik Willis in free agency. Green Bay flirted with Nussmeier as an undrafted option before the board slid, per scouting logs that highlighted arm talent but questioned processing speed against complex looks. Andy Reid prizes developmental quarterbacks who grasp run-pass options and bootleg timing, and the LSU product offers traits that fit that mold. The Packers’ exit left Kansas City with a value lane to secure a thrower with size and mechanics without surrendering premium Day 3 picks.
Film study across three seasons shows Nussmeier’s third-down conversion rate and red-zone body control reveal a player who can push chains in simplified packages. Numbers reveal a pattern of quick strikes when protections hold, though pressure rates expose patience limits when lanes collapse. Tracking this trend suggests he can serve as a scout-team mimic who elevates into spot duty if health forces a call-up.
Key Details and Metrics
Garrett Nussmeier brings measurable traits that fit Andy Reid’s quick-game matrix. Breaking down advanced metrics, LSU recorded a 9.2-yard average on play-action bootlegs with the quarterback in the shotgun, and his 4.87-second 40-yard dash supports edge pressure containment. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Packers wanted to sign LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier if he went undrafted (the Chiefs nabbed him in the seventh round).
EPA per attempt on throws traveling 10+ yards in the air ranks in the upper half of his draft class, and his turnover rate under center stayed below 1.5% over 450 snaps. These figures suggest Kansas City Chiefs acquired a low-risk asset who can absorb reps without cratering efficiency. The film shows clean footwork on perimeter runs and an ability to reset feet after missteps, traits that boost red-zone efficiency in condensed quarters.
Key Developments
- The Packers considered offering a seventh-round choice before opting to sign Kyron Drones out of Virginia Tech as an undrafted free agent.
- Malik Willis’s departure in free agency created the immediate vacancy that elevated Nussmeier’s board value.
- LSU’s offensive scheme featured heavy use of RPO and bootleg concepts that mirror Andy Reid’s base run-pass options.
Impact and What’s Next
Kansas City Chiefs now possess a developmental quarterback who can refine protections and provide live reps in preseason without burning cap space. Depth chart implications favor a patient grooming plan, with Nussmeier absorbing scout-team duties while the starter commands first-team reps. Contract structure likely includes a standard four-year rookie deal that preserves future flexibility to address defensive holes via trade or free agency. The front office brass can monitor growth in training camp before deciding whether to carry three quarterbacks or stash the rookie on the practice squad.
Salary cap implications remain minimal, but the move signals a preference for internal development over veteran stopgaps. If the starter misses time, the room has a practice-squad-ready athlete who understands NFL tempo from Day 1. The numbers suggest steady progression is plausible, though the team must still fortify the interior defensive line to sustain postseason contention.
Why did the Kansas City Chiefs wait until the seventh round to select Garrett Nussmeier?
The LSU quarterback’s board slide reflected concerns about processing speed against complex blitz looks, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire the developmental prospect without using a premium pick. Green Bay’s late interest validated the player’s traits while creating a lane for Kansas City to secure the asset at a discount.
How does the Nussmeier addition change the backup quarterback battle?
The signing pushes the competition into a three-man framework with a developmental priority. Nussmeier’s size and mobility offer a change-of-pace option in two-minute packages, while his rookie contract preserves resources to retain a veteran mentor who can manage preseason reps.
What schematic fit does Nussmeier provide for Andy Reid’s offense?
LSU ran heavy play-action and RPO concepts that map cleanly to Reid’s bootleg and mesh-point timing. The quarterback’s quick release and red-zone body control support high-percentage throws in condensed windows, aligning with a system that prizes rhythm and yardage after the catch.
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