The Kansas City Chiefs used one of their final picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, selecting him at No. 249 overall. It is the kind of move that usually flies under the radar, especially with Patrick Mahomes entrenched as the face of the franchise and Justin Fields in place as the backup. But this pick quickly turned into a talking point thanks to one strong opinion.
Nussmeier arrives in Kansas City with no immediate pressure to play, but there is intrigue. His college career was uneven, partly due to an oblique injury and a dip in efficiency during the 2025 season. Even so, his 2024 tape showed flashes that had evaluators paying attention. That is where the conversation really starts, especially when compared to how Shedeur Sanders has fared early in his NFL career after being drafted No. 144 overall by the Cleveland Browns a year ago.
Garrett Nussmeier Earns Edge Over Shedeur Sanders in QB Debate
On the “Football Debate Club” live NFL draft show, PFSN’s NFL draft analyst Jacob Infante did not hesitate when discussing Nussmeier’s evaluation, especially when stacking him against other quarterbacks in recent classes.
“Garrett Nussmeier, a guy who we thought would have been QB three, not QB three, but landing in a unique situation with the Kansas City Chiefs,” Infante said. “I think that Nussmeier, going into 2025, was one of my top quarterbacks in this class. I’ve been on record for saying that his 2024 tape was better than anybody in the 2025 draft class, not named Cam Ward.”
That alone is a bold statement, but Infante pushed it further by directly comparing Nussmeier to several notable names.
“So I think Nussmeier, at least on tape at LSU in 2024, was better than Shedeur Sanders was better than Tyler Shough was better than Jaxson Dart, which is saying a bit.”
That comparison stands out even more given Sanders’ rocky start in the NFL. After sliding to Round 5, Sanders eventually got his opportunity with Cleveland following roster changes. Through 8 games, he posted 1,400 passing yards with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, earning an F grade in PFSN’s QB Impact Metrics.
Infante’s point is not about where Nussmeier was drafted. It is about what he showed at his best and how that version stacks up against players taken earlier or who have already seen NFL snaps.
Nussmeier’s Ceiling Defined by Risk and Inconsistency
The evaluation of Nussmeier has always come with a split opinion, and Infante acknowledged both sides while explaining why Kansas City’s move makes sense.
“Unfortunately for him, it didn’t necessarily carry over. The high volume as a passer, you’ve got to see some big plays. The passing yards were pretty high, but the efficiency definitely dropped,” Infante said. “And I think part of that came down to inconsistency. He was dealing with the oblique injury. Playing through injury definitely affected his play.”
According to PFSN’s scouting report, Nussmeier is one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in the 2026 class.
At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he does not have elite physical tools, and his arm talent falls in the average range. Still, he brings a fearless approach, strong processing ability, and the willingness to make tough throws under pressure.
Infante highlighted those traits as part of the appeal.
“But when he’s healthy, and especially in 2024, you see the ability to create, you know, to extend the play, to throw off platform, there’s some solid arm talent there, maybe not elite, but enough. And I like some natural touch and the accuracy he has behind some of his throws.”
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The downside is just as clear. Risky decisions and inconsistent accuracy showed up in 2025, and his margin for error is smaller than that of quarterbacks with elite tools. That likely caps him as a backup or spot starter.
