ESPN analyst explains why Garrett Nussmeier is a good fit with Kansas City Chiefs
By David Wasson
Published:
Situations matter in the NFL Draft, as players who might not look like a great short-term fit are often selected for their longer-term prognosis.
The opposite could well be the case with former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who wasn’t selected until Saturday’s seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 249 pick. Nussmeier’s first pro home: the Kansas City Chiefs, a destination that has future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes as its’ long-term answer at quarterback but certainly a more pressing current need.
That’s the belief of ESPN analyst Jordan Reid, who pointed out just how valuable every minute of minicamp and preseason can be for Nussmeier while saying his spot might be the best QB landing spot behind Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders.
While it took a lot longer than expected, Nussmeier went to Kansas City at pick No. 249 and gets a chance to learn under coach Andy Reid. With Patrick Mahomes recovering from an ACL injury, Nussmeier has a chance to compete with Justin Fields for significant reps in training camp.
Nussmeier, who slid far beyond what his pre-draft range signaled in part to the diagnosis of a cyst against his spine that caused him discomfort throughout the season, now has a chance to sidle up to and learn from a coaching legend while Mahomes is recovering from an ACL tear.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
