As Garrett Nussmeier sat on the couch in his home surrounded by his family, he held his fists tightly together, his face showing his nerves. Last year, around this time, the star out of Baton Rouge was a projected first-rounder. That was until a report during the NFL Combine turned things upside down.

Day 1 passed, day 2 passed, and just when Nussmeier thought he could be the Mr. Irrelevant this year, he got a phone call. On the other side was Andy Reid, giving the LSU alum a new hope. He is not a known Tom Brady fan, but he knew history has time and again proven that those who are picked last have the most to prove. So, even if he slid all the way to No. 249, he knows what he gets with the Kansas City Chiefs. But here’s what forced 31 NFL teams to turn their backs on him.

During the Scouting Combine, Nussmeier underwent tests revealing a cyst on his spine. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero previously reported that Nussmeier has been asymptomatic so far. The cyst isn’t expected to present a short- or long-term risk, but is pressing on a nerve. It is believed to have caused the persistent oblique pain that affected his 2025 campaign, and it can cause a problem again, causing concerns for the teams.

Should it flare up, he could undergo a minimally invasive procedure that would likely sideline him for two to three weeks. The entire story was released to the public during the Draft. But I believe being with the Chiefs is better for the rookie.

You see, all nine QBs picked ahead of him, except for Cole Payton (Eagles) and Behren Morton (Patriots), will be under pressure to develop quickly. The rest of them need to become the team’s answer at the position within a year or two. But with Patrick Mahomes not showing any signs of retiring any time soon, Nussmeier gets time to get the feel of the playground.

Kansas City currently has Justin Fields under the center until its franchise cornerstone, Mahomes, returns from his ACL tear rehab. Even then, the latter is squarely placed as the QB1 until he retires. Meanwhile, Nussmeier can learn from the great minds and ultimately be the team’s long-term answer at the quarterback position.

“Oh, man, it was an unbelievable feeling,” Nussmeier said after he was drafted, with a Chiefs cap sitting atop his head. “I felt like I was sitting there waiting forever, so I couldn’t have been more excited to see that area code pop up.”

“It was difficult for me sitting there and not understanding why, I guess you could say. Obviously, I have a belief in myself and where I believe that I should have been valued. And at the end of the day, I’m just grateful for this opportunity. I said throughout this entire process: it’s not when, it’s where. And I couldn’t be more blessed to go to such a great team.”

As the son of former quarterback and current New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, he has shown that he has learned the sport since he was a kid. The two-year starter at LSU has an NFL-caliber arm and the requisite fearlessness and intelligence under center. Although some issues remain.

He is not a scrambler like Mahomes, but will make use of his legs when needed. However, he lacks the ideal size and, at times, trusts his strong arm too much. But he could get some useful first-team reps during the offseason if he is healthy behind Fields to develop.

The QB had been limited during his entire 2025 campaign. He went from a signal-caller who had notched 4,052 yards in 2024 to just 1,927 yards in 2025. Garrett Nussmeier was no longer the gunslinger he was known to be, and he said at the combine that he used to feel a stabbing pain in his torso. That cyst limited his throwing power. But it wouldn’t be a question that he certainly fits into the Chiefs’ locker room.

How Garrett Nussmeier fits into Chiefs’ QB room

Nussmeier has ample opportunities to look forward to as he makes his way to the Arrowhead. He will most likely be competing with Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener for a backup spot, behind QB Justin Fields and star Patrick Mahomes. And with an offensive genius like Andy Reid, Nussmeier is excited to be donning the red and gold.

“I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys,” he said. “Coach [Andy] Reid and his unbelievable offensive mind, and obviously, sitting behind Patrick and getting to learn from him. Hopefully, steal some things from him and see the game through his eyes. It’s gonna be an unbelievable experience for me. Something that I’m really grateful for.”

Nussmeier’s turn came late in the draft, but he’s in a pretty good position to make a mark for himself. Patrick Mahomes is still not at 100%, which should allow him plenty of reps this offseason. The ideal recovery time for an ACL tear is nine to 12 months, which makes it possible for the QB1 to return when the season opens. But in case he doesn’t return by Week 1 or 2, we might see Garrett Nussmeier on the field.

He can easily outshine his competition in the backup spot, having crossed the 300-yard mark eight times in 2024. Nussmeier could see himself as QB2 for these two weeks, waiting behind presumed QB1 replacement Justin Fields. The Chiefs might have gotten a steal deal in Garrett Nussmeier, given he remains healthy.