Matthew Stafford is inching closer to the end of his career with the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Sean McVay will need a successor for the veteran gunslinger, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier could be that guy in next year’s 2026 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Rams Add LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in Recent Mock-Up of 2026 NFL Draft
At 37 years old, it’s not a stretch to say Stafford’s in the twilight of his career. While his tank isn’t empty, it’s getting there. McVay found his successor in a recent mock-up of next year’s draft.
“Matthew Stafford is under contract through the 2026 season,” Pro Football Network wrote. “As long as he doesn’t regress, he’ll be the Rams’ QB through that mark, at the very least, but the time is coming soon for the Rams to think about the future. The 2026 class should give them chances to do so.”
“Ideally, the Rams target a QB with more physical upside, but Garrett Nussmeier is intriguing in his own right. He’s garnered comparisons to Tony Romo with his savvy brand of creativity and gunslinger mentality, and he can widen windows with his elastic arm.”
Nussmeier was the fifth quarterback taken off the board in the scenario. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (No. 1, New Orleans Saints), Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (No. 3, Cleveland Browns), South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers (No. 7, Las Vegas Raiders), and Penn State’s Drew Allar (No. 16, Pittsburgh Steelers) heard their names called before Nussmeier.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid analyzed Nussmeier recently, getting ahead on scouting for next year’s draft.
“The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has a firm grasp of defensive structures and coverages,” Reid said. “He has the most jaw-dropping highlight tape of any QB in the class, as he routinely delivers the ball to where his targets are supposed to be. He also has a flexible arm, which allows him to alter his arm slots while maintaining accuracy.”
KEEP READING: Garrett Nussmeier 2026 NFL Draft Film Breakdown: Cerebral Signal-Caller Brings Old School Back
Reid added that Nussmeier can sometimes take a reckless approach, recording three games of at least two interceptions against ranked teams last season. Reid pointed out that many of those miscues came after Nussmeier was forced out of the pocket.
Nussmeier started all 13 games for Brian Kelly’s crew a season ago, going 9-4 and notching a win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl. No first-year starting signal-caller in LSU’s history had a better campaign, as Nussmeier finished the go-round with 4,052 yards â the second-most in Tigers lore â and 29 touchdown passes.