“Obviously, there’s so many things. (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) is such a legendary coach and such a great football coach,” Nussmeier said to the press during this weekend’s rookie minicamp. “(I’m) just trying to be a sponge around him. Anything I can take from him, that’s what I’m looking to do.”

The jump from college football to the most competitive league in the world is no easy task. The former LSU Tigers player, despite having limited game action in his final season, aims to get up to speed as quickly as possible in order to adapt rapidly.

Reid knows how to maximize players’ potential

Andy Reid has masterfully unlocked Patrick Mahomes’ potential by blending his innovative offensive schemes with Mahomes’ generational arm talent and creativity. The initial strategy was clear: sit him on the bench behind Alex Smith so he could learn as much as possible. The rest is well-known history.

Since becoming the starter in 2018, Mahomes has rewritten the record books under Reid, amassing over 28,000 passing yards and 219 touchdowns in regular-season play, while leading the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles.

Reid’s play-calling brilliance has allowed Mahomes to maintain an elite 103.5 career passer rating, while the legendary coach himself has climbed to fourth on the NFL’s all-time wins list with 284 victories, cementing them as one of the most prolific duos in football history.

Nussmeier shows numbers pointing to further growth

Nussmeier’s 2025 season at LSU was significantly impacted by an abdominal injury, limiting him to 9 games in which he completed 194-of-288 passes (67.4%) for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. While his production dipped compared to his explosive 2024 campaign, he still showcased a quick release and elite accuracy on the run.

To thrive in the NFL, Nussmeier will need to refine his pocket presence and decision-making, particularly under pressure, while utilizing his gunslinger mentality to challenge tight windows more consistently.

“I know it’s been a long day, but just know that you’re going to head to the best quarterback room in the NFL here,” Veach told Nussmeier, in video released by the franchise. “We’re going to turn this pick in now and make you the newest member of the Kansas City Chiefs.”

Garrett Nussmeier knows he has a lot to learn alongside Reid and Mahomes. It will ultimately be a matter of seeing whether he gets the opportunity to showcase his talent over the course of the upcoming 2026 NFL season.

Nussmeier’s selection makes sense

During his 2025 senior season at LSU, Garrett Nussmeier showcased his resilience despite battling torso and abdominal injuries, finishing his final college campaign with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions across nine starts.

His draft journey concluded when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the No. 249 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a move that has quickly gained significance. With Mahomes still in the process of recovering from a complex ACL and LCL tear suffered last December, Reid has reportedly kept the door open for a competitive training camp.

While Mahomes remains the franchise cornerstone, his limited mobility during rehabilitation has led Reid to signal that the depth chart, could see a genuine battle for the starting job or a primary bridge role alongside Justin Fields to start the 2026 season.

The Chiefs’ dominance in the QB room

The Chiefs’ quarterback room enters 2026 with an intriguing blend of elite talent and reclaimed potential. At the helm, Mahomes continues to anchor the franchise; despite a challenging 2025 season, he still managed 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

To bolster the unit, Reid will have depth thanks to Justin Fields’ arrival via trade from the Jets, providing the Chiefs with a former first-round pick who boasts an elite athletic pedigree to serve as high-end insurance.

While there is palpable excitement surrounding the arrival of rookie Garrett Nussmeier, veterans Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener currently find themselves at the bottom of the depth chart, likely competing for a spot on the practice squad as the new-look room takes shape.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to learn,” Nussmeier said to Nate Taylor of ESPN. “I can only imagine. I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys, coach Reid and his unbelievable offensive mind and sitting behind Patrick and steal some things from him and see the game through his eyes.”

Nussmeier only played nine games last season as injuries hampered his season at LSU. However, it was not expected his draft stock to fall all the way to the seventh round. Now, he can learn behind arguably the best coach-QB duo in the NFL.

Nussmeier’s QB profile

Nussmeier has an above average arm, with plenty of strength and a wide arsenal of throws. He is capable of zipping passes into tight windows. With a gunslinger mentality, Nussmeier has that ‘Brett Favre‘ style that can have big upside but also big lows.

In fact, he needs to take care of the ball as his turnovers are too many, including fumbles. He is a bit of a rollercoaster quarterback in the sense that he can give you incredible drives, and then mind-boggling ones. That’s why sitting behind Mahomes and learning to digest the game from Reid could be huge for him.

Nussmeier is still the Chiefs QB3

Nussmeier might be the shiny toy, but he is third in the pecking order. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes is QB1 of the team. However, he the second quarterback is actually Justin Fields.

Hence, Nussmeier would actually start as QB3, fighting with Chris Oladokun, who played a couple of games last season as Mahomes was injured. Fields signed a two-year deal, so Nussmeier might have to really wait to get his chance.

Nussmeier spoke with NFL Network. “I’ve got a lot of stuff coming up. I’ve got the Jets coming in the next couple of days here. I’ve got the Rams coming into town. I’m heading out to Indianapolis.”

The Jets worked out Carson Beck and Drew Allar, as well as preparing to host Ty Simpson. Now, Nussmeier is up next. Nussmeier was at LSU and has been looking good in drills, so there is quite a chance he manages to impress the Jets too.

Is Nussmeier a good prospect?

Nussmeier has a gunslinger mentality thanks to his strong arm. However, he is also accurate and tough. During 2024 when he was fully healthy, he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. The ab injury really limited last season.

Nussmeier is somewhat undersized though, standing at 6-foot-2. Given that he is a pocket-passer, teams like the Rams, Jets, and Colts might worry a bit about how good Nussmeier sees the field.

Nussmeier’s draft projection

A typical ‘Day 2 prospect‘, Nussmeier is expected to go either in the second or third round. Hence, he could be competing head to head against the likes of Drew Allar and Carson Beck regarding his draft position.

“I’m sorry that we couldn’t reach those expectations,” Nussmeier said during a press conference on Monday. “It was a tough year. Lot of adversity. Looking back, it was unfortunate, but it’s going to make me a better player.”

Now, Nussmeier is off to the NFL Draft as Lane Kiffin takes over, along with the arrival of Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt. It’s a new day in Baton Rouge—one that Nussmeier won’t be around to see dawn.

Nussmeier’s numbers in 2025

In an injury-plagued college football season, Nussmeier appeared in 9 games in his final year of eligibility. The former four-star prospect out of the state of Texas threw for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions with LSU in 2025.

The Tigers finished the year with a 7-6 record in the NCAA (3-5 SEC) and closed out the campaign with a defeat against the Houston Cougars at the Kinder’s Texas Bowl (Nussmeier didn’t play). It was a season unlike any other.

Drama was the name of the game, including wave-making episodes like Brian Kelly’s exit and Kiffin’s escape from Ole Miss and arrival in LSU. With him calling the shots from the sideline, the Tigers are set to be in for another boisterous campaign.

Nussmeier’s draft stock

With one month to go before the 2026 Draft, Nussmeier is drawing attention all over the league. He may not be a finished product in this year’s quarterback class, but he has the tools to become a starter in the NFL. Most likely, Nussmeier will be drafted by a franchise that can afford to give him some time to settle in, rather than one in need of a Day 1 starting QB.

As Pete Nakos of On3 reported, Nussmeier won’t be playing as he is still dealing with an injury. This will be the third week that Nussmeier misses a game after suffering an abdominal strain.

Nussmeier has completed a 67.4% for 1,972 yards and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions. LSU lost four of its last five games with Nussmeier under center, and also scored 25 or less points in each of Nussmeier’s last five games.

It’s Michael Van Buren Jr. time once again

Van Buren has played in five games this season, completing 64% of his passes for 647 yards, throwing four touchdowns and one interception in the process. In those five games, he has a 3-2 record.

Oklahoma has a 9-2 record, it’s a very good team and always a big program to face. The Sooners have a very good 827-yard receiver in Isaiah Sategnaand a prolific defense. While Oklahoma hasn’t scored much, the Sooners have the sixth-best defense in the whole nation.

The Sooners are fighting for seeding

If Ole Miss misses a step and Oklahoma wins, they could be getting better seeding for the CFB Playoff. However, LSU and Oklahoma are not precisely friendly towards each other, so LSU will definitely trying to ruin the Sooners’ options to go to the playoff.

Still, the urgency resides in Oklahoma’s side. And also, well the starting quarterback is out fo the Tigers, so it’s a tough scenario for LSU. Oklahoma will go all in to win this game, while LSU has not much to play for.

Unfortunately for LSU, it’s been confirmed that their biggest star won’t be available, as he’s still recovering from a lingering abdominal injury. Interim head coach Frank Wilson announced that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been ruled out for Saturday’s game.

“He will not participate,” Wilson said after practice on Thursday. “Garrett is a no-go; he will be out for the game.” The HC also added: “There is certainly a want. He wants to play, but he’s not able to at the moment.”

Following Brian Kelly’s dismissal from the program, Frank Wilson has taken the reins, and his decision to bench Nussmeier stands as one of the most significant moves so far. Michael Van Buren is expected to get the start for the Tigers.

What injury does Garrett Nussmeier have?

Tigers fans held their collective breath this week as news broke that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will miss the upcoming tilt against Western Kentucky. The talented signal-caller, who was primed for significant action in the contest, has been sidelined with an lower-body injury sustained during a recent practice session.

While the severity of the ailment remains unclear, sources close to the program confirm that the team’s medical staff elected to hold him out as a precautionary measure. This unexpected absence shifts the immediate focus to the depth chart, putting pressure on the remaining quarterback corps to execute the game plan and secure a crucial victory on Saturday.

The availability of Whit Weeks

The good news for LSU is that Whit Weeks, who had been listed as questionable for this crucial matchup, now has a strong chance of playing. “He’s had a good week at practice,” Wilson said. “He’s shown tremendous progress. He’s talking and feeling the right way. Right now, I would say he’s probable. He feels better.”

With Brian Kelly no longer at the helm, interim head coach Frank Wilson revealed that Nussmeier will likely remain sidelined and unable to rejoin his teammates due to the abdominal injury that kept him out of the game against the Razorbacks.

The news was reported by College Football insider Pete Nakos, who shared the update on his official X account (formerly Twitter), marking a significant development for the Tigers ahead of this crucial matchup.

“LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is doubtful this week against Western Kentucky, per interim coach Frank Wilson. Source tells @On3sports he’s currently not expected to play and did not practice Tuesday. Michael Van Buren is in line to get the start,” the insider reported via @PeteNakos.

How much do the Tigers stand to lose without Nussmeier on the field?

Garrett Nussmeier’s presence in the LSU Tigers’ offense, even while battling an abdominal injury for most of the season, has been defined by his courageous effort and commitment to the team.

Although he entered the year with significant expectations, the nagging issue has severely limited his mobility, a factor which became particularly problematic when operating behind an inconsistent offensive line.

Despite these physical setbacks, Nussmeier played through the pain for several weeks, throwing for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns against five interceptions through his appearances. His dedication, especially being seen encouraging his teammates from the sideline after being sidelined for the Arkansas game, was described by interim coach Frank Wilson as “monumental” for the team’s morale and mindset.

What’s next for the Tigers?

The LSU Tigers conclude their regular season with two crucial matchups that present distinct challenges. First, they return home to face Western Kentucky, a game LSU must win decisively to secure Bowl eligibility and build confidence.

Following that, the Tigers hit the road for a challenging season finale against the Oklahoma Sooners. This away game is a significant test for the entire program, requiring the team to perform at its highest level to overcome a tough opponent and gain momentum heading into the offseason.

Kelly was one of the main protagonists of the day, not only for the striking decision to bench his star player, but also for the exchanges he had with some of his players and even high-ranking members of the program.

“Well, I would’ve been disappointed too,” the HC said on pulling Nussmeier. “If you took me out of the game in that situation, I would have been disappointed too, but it was a bigger picture. We were struggling in protection.

“I thought it would have been unfair to have him in the game, under those circumstances, with where the game was clearly out of reach. To have him get injured in that situation, I thought would have been malpractice from my standpoint.”

A painful defeat

The LSU Tigers’ season has officially reached crisis point following a disastrous second-half collapse in their 49-25 home loss to the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies. The defeat, which effectively ends any College Football Playoff hopes, has intensified scrutiny on Head Coach Brian Kelly.

While his contract carries an enormous buyout, the mounting losses—the third in four games—have critics questioning whether Kelly can meet the demanding championship standard in Baton Rouge. Fans are openly calling for a change, putting the athletic department in an immediate and unenviable dilemma regarding the future of their high-profile coach.

Is Nussmeier a Heisman Trophy contender?

Despite entering the season as a Heisman frontrunner, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s campaign for college football’s most prestigious award has been all but extinguished. After the 49-25 rout by Texas A&M, the senior’s individual stats no longer carry the weight needed, given the team’s three losses.

While he still boasts a solid completion percentage (66.4%), his 1,638 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through eight games are significantly behind the national leaders, and his five interceptions are one too many for a candidate.

Aaron Anderson has been one of Nussmeier’s primary targets this season. However, in their most recent outing — a win over South Carolina — he was sidelined due to injury and had to watch his teammates from the sideline.

A knee injury kept the talented wide receiver out of action in Baton Rouge, and as a result, head coach Brian Kelly can’t yet confirm whether Anderson will be available to take the field this coming weekend.

“The knee that he’s had most of his problems with is one that gets inflamed,” Kelly said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Again, he’s not 100%. He’s a guy that needs to play fast and free and he just wasn’t in that mindset this past weekend.”

Still, Kelly expressed optimism after seeing him participate in practice: “He went the entire day,” he said. “His player load is good, we kind of monitor those things for our wide receivers… But he is in practice this week so we expect him to do a nice job for us.”

Nussmeier at 100%

Garrett Nussmeier’s health status had been a recurring topic week after week, but after his performance last weekend against the Gamecocks, it’s clear the quarterback is feeling fully healthy at this stage of the season.

“You know, all of those things are part of it, but the bottom line is he was healthy,” Tigers HC Brian Kelly said. “On Thursday, I mentioned to you that we have the ball that has the GPS in it, and his numbers were up from any other time during the week.”

He also added: “His ab injury is on the right side of it where he feels good, and he didn’t feel any pain on Sunday coming in. So, that’s a really, really good sign for us moving forward.”

Staying on track

The No. 10 LSU Tigers are positioned well at 5-1, thanks largely to an elite defense that has carried the load. However, the path to the expanded College Football Playoff demands discipline, especially with the heart of the SEC schedule approaching, featuring pivotal matchups against Texas A&M, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

For the Tigers to secure a spot in the 12-team field, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and the offense must find the consistency needed to complement their dominant defense. There is no more margin for error; every snap from here on is a playoff test that Brian Kelly’s squad must pass. The time to prove they belong among the nation’s elite is now.

His stats from yesterday’s 56–10 win over Southeastern Louisiana speak for themselves — this is clearly a quarterback with serious next-level potential. But it raises a question: is he performing at this level because he’s fully healthy, or is he simply pushing through and delivering despite not being at 100 percent physically?

Speaking to the media after the game, Brian Kelly shed light on the current condition of his star QB, offering insight into what Nussmeier has been dealing with on the field.

“We had talked about during the week that he was on the other side of the injury, and he felt really good,” the HC told reporters. “And that’s why we actually ran him a little bit. He felt good running the football, and we knew during the week that he was healthy just by the way he was throwing the football. I would say that’s the version (of Nussmeier) that you’ll get the rest of the year.”

Nussmeier connected on 25 of his 31 pass attempts, racking up 273 yards through the air and throwing for three touchdowns in LSU’s dominant 56–10 win. He also found the end zone with a rushing touchdown, adding to his impressive performance.

Is Garrett Nussmeier playing through pain?

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been battling a lingering torso injury since the start of the college football season, a factor that has likely contributed to his inconsistent play.

Coach Brian Kelly revealed that Nussmeier suffered the injury during fall camp, and while he has not missed any games, the ailment has clearly limited his performance and affected the team’s offensive game plan. Kelly stated that the Tigers have dialed back the playbook to protect their star signal-caller, who has not yet reached the same level of production he had last season.

However, there is a silver lining for the Tigers and their Heisman-hopeful quarterback. Recent reports indicate that Nussmeier is feeling much better and had his best week of practice, showing signs of returning to form.

While he will continue to play through the discomfort until the team’s bye week, his improved health is a promising sign for the LSU offense as they enter the toughest part of their schedule.