Why Did LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Slide in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Last year, Texas QB Quinn Ewers fell from a day-2 prospect all the way into round 7. It happened again. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier plummeted despite having good 2024 tape. As the son of an NFL OC, he should be adept at reading defenses and processing. His arm strength is decent enough, and he played well at times. Regardless, Kansas City was the only team who even deemed him with any pick, and that was number 249. Here, we’ll take a look at why Nussmeier fell in the 2026 NFL draft. That will involve diving into on-the-field concerns, any off-field questions, and teams’ evaluations. Let’s see what we can find out!
Culprit #1: Worse Injuries Than We Thought
During the 2025 season, we knew early on that Nussmeier wasn’t himself. His throwing velocity was down, and he looked far less mobile than before. He dealt with patellar tendinitis throughout the campaign, but he seemed to manage that decently enough. Team sources told us that he suffered an oblique injury, which made more sense. That explained the physical decline we saw from Nussmeier. However, one thing still lacked an explanation. If the root of his issues was the oblique, why would that make him slide so far? With enough rest over the offseason, Nussmeier should’ve been just fine moving forward.
Following the draft, we learned that the oblique issue was far more problematic than a mere muscle strain. Testing Nussmeier underwent at the Scouting Combine revealed a cyst on his spine. That information went unreported reported at the time, but all 32 teams knew about it. The lingering effects of that cyst made GMs uncomfortable, particularly because of how late the subsequent surgery was. Nussmeier hadn’t fully healed by the time the draft rolled around. Couple that with some residual concerns about his knee, and you see the #1 reason why NFL front offices decided not to touch Nussmeier in the draft.
Culprit #2: Inconsistent Tape Left Scouts with Questions
A player with injury issues can still become a decently high pick if he has talent. For instance, Tennessee QB Jermod McCoy fell to round 4 because of his own knee problems, but with top-10-level tape, someone had to take him eventually. Nussmeier did not have nearly the tape that McCoy posted. Despite being a 4-star recruit with NFL bloodlines and playing for LSU, Nussmeier did not seamlessly follow Jayden Daniels at the QB position. He barely played during his first 3 years as a Tiger before becoming QB1 in 2024. That year saw him produce plenty of big plays but also an SEC-leading 12 INTs. Nussmeier was a true gunslinger.
An optimist would say that his 4052 yards and 29 TDs offset the turnovers. However, LSU slightly underachieved at 9-4, and fans weren’t all that enthused. Things only got worse in 2025. As a result of the injuries mentioned above, Nussmeier didn’t get a chance to really develop. He threw 12 TDs versus 5 INTs and began the season 4-0 against a cupcake schedule. The defense did all the work though, and the offense looked stagnant. As the scheduled toughened, the losses mounted, and HC Brian Kelly lost his job. Interim HC Frank Smith benched Nussmeier a few weeks later with the team sitting at just 5-4.
Most puzzling for scouts was the fact that Nussmeier looked nothing like his 2024 self. The injuries certainly impacted him, but the mental part of the game vanished too. He wasn’t making great decisions with the football, and his confidence waned. If Nussmeier had entered the draft after the 2024 campaign, he probably would’ve gone in the 3rd or 4th round to a team that wanted to coach the INTs out of him. His last impression was the far meeker 2025 season though, and that scared teams off. Their view of him changed from a guy with great upside to a potentially broken QB without much long-term potential.
Culprit #3: Measurements Caused Some to Feel That Nussmeier was Too Small
One of the reasons that teams soured on Nussmeier’s potential is that his physical profile proved unimpressive. Heights somehow improve at the Combine, so his 6’2″ really looked like 6’1″ to most teams. Pairing that with a 203-lb frame did not help Nussmeier’s cause. Some thought he would be more prone to injuries in the NFL, where the defenders are bigger, faster, and stronger. Nussmeier isn’t severely undersized like Bryce Young or Kyler Murray, but he isn’t as elusive as they are either. Without the ability to protect himself or absorb a ton of body blows, Nussmeier could be less durable than teams like.
Elsewhere in the physicality department, Nussmeier’s arm strength is decent enough, but it’s nothing special. His hands measured 9 and 1/4 inches at the Combine, but I always question such outcomes when they differ greatly from Senior Bowl measurements. For context, his hands measured 8 and 3/4 inches at that event. These factoids might not mean a whole lot in isolation, but they add up. Each strike against Nussmeier gave teams one more reason to pass on him, and they all did for six full rounds. QBs without great physical capabilities can certainly succeed in the NFL, but the odds aren’t in their favor.
Culprit #4: Interviews Left Teams with Personality Concerns
I didn’t include Nussmeier in my Combine losers article because most of this stuff hadn’t yet been public knowledge. Had I known, he would’ve lead the list because we’re now hitting a third issue that teams learned straight from the Combine. During the prospect interviews, Nussmeier reportedly did not make the best impression. Insiders told me about numerous concerns. Foremost among them was how he unsatisfactorily responded to teams when they pressed him about his body language. Specifically, team officials said that he tended to have a negative demeanor, and Nussmeier didn’t love the feedback.
Another note was that Nussmeier deflected blame for his injury timeline away from the medical staff. Teams felt that was far too defensive. Personally, I think standing up for your school’s personnel is admirable, but I’m not in draft rooms making these calls. Finally, Nussmeier was very against running with the ball when talking to NFL coaches, which struck them the wrong way. Perhaps this son of a coach felt a bit entitled, just like Shedeur Sanders last year. One thing is for sure: akin to Sanders, Nussmeier is quite humbled now. It’s up to him to use this experience to improve himself, especially mentally.
What Are Nussmeier’s Prospects as a Kansas City Chief?
If Nussmeier could’ve gone back to school and transferred somewhere, that would’ve been ideal. He probably would’ve made that choice had he possessed any more eligibility. Alas, he’ll need to make the best of his new situation. If he were to be a backup anywhere, KC would be at or near the top of the list. HC Andy Reid is an exceptional QB tutor, and QB Patrick Mahomes probably has plenty of wisdom to share himself. Sitting and learning is a well-documented way of becoming a solid pro. Had Nussmeier gone in the 2nd or 3rd round, he might’ve been thrown into the fray too early, sabotaging his development.
Mahomes’ ACL recovery presents a unique opportunity for Nussmeier as well. While a normal 7th-round QB would be fighting for scraps as reps are divvied out, Nussmeier is likely to see plenty of QB2 snaps. Justin Fields will play with the starters until Mahomes is ready to return, but he’s not a very good passer. Let me be clear: Nussmeier is probably not a threat to usurp Fields on the depth chart, but he could develop into the QB2 of the future. With some spot starts or good preseason play, Nussmeier might earn himself a starting opportunity with another team in a few years. He has a chance, and he has to run with it.