With the No. 249 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Garrett Nussmeier. The former LSU standout joins a deep quarterback room and will compete to become one of Patrick Mahomes‘ backups.
In the final stages of the 2026 NFL Draft, Andy Reid and the Chiefs decided to add a new quarterback. Garrett Nussmeier joins Kansas City with hopes of eventually becoming a key option to back up Patrick Mahomes.
As of today, Patrick Mahomes remains the starter, although he is still recovering from a torn ACL and LCL suffered in late 2025. Justin Fields is regarded as the QB2, while Chris Oladokun, Jake Haener, and newcomer Garrett Nussmeier compete for the remaining spots on the depth chart.
The Chiefs need a healthy quarterback room
While Andy Reid recently stated that Patrick Mahomes is progressing well with his rehab, the addition of Nussmeier suggests the team is taking no chances at the most vital position in football.
Mahomes is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season, which is why the team signed Justin Fields. However, the former Jets quarterback has faced questions regarding his consistency, and the two injuries he suffered in 2025 have added to the organization’s concerns.
With Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener not yet viewed as reliable long-term replacements, the Chiefs drafted Nussmeier. The hope is that the former LSU standout can impress during the offseason and potentially secure the QB2 role behind Fields for the start of the season.
Kansas City aims for a strong start until Mahomes returns
With Mahomes likely sidelined for the early weeks, the Chiefs need Justin Fields to be as effective as possible. If the season begins poorly, it might be too late to salvage the campaign even once Mahomes returns.
Last year, even with a healthy Mahomes for most of the season, the Chiefs missed the playoffs while the Broncos and Chargers thrived. If Fields struggles, the Chiefs may prioritize long-term health over a lost season, potentially choosing not to risk Mahomes’ recovery if the team is already out of contention.
