Why the Slide?: Garrett Nussmeier

Why the Slide Series

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?” and “Was it a Reach?”

The trio of series is back this year. Feel free to email me requests at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

Throughout the 2026 NFL Draft process, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was viewed as a likely day-two pick. Nussmeier had a huge 2024 season in his first year as a starter. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,403 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In 2025, his season went off the rails, as did the entire program, and head coach Brian Kelly was fired. Nussmeier completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,927 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. It was a disappointing season for Nussmeier and ended with an injury, but he helped himself with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and interviewed well with teams. Thus, it was a surprise when Nussmeier slid deep into the third day of the draft.

Team sources say the medical feedback is what killed Nussmeier. Too many teams had bad medical red flags, and that caused his massive slide.

The Kansas City Chiefs ended Nussmeier’s slide in the seventh round, and that was a mixed landing spot. On the positive side, Nussmeier can work with one of the great quarterback gurus in NFL history, with future Hall of Famer Andy Reid. On the negative side, Nussmeier does not have a viable path to becoming a starter with Kansas City, as future Hall of Famer Pat Mahomes is entrenched for many years to come. Nussmeier is also competing with Chris Oladokun to be the third quarterback. Veteran Justin Fields is locked in as the backup to Mahomes and the insurance policy if Mahomes is slowed by injury to start the season. Nussmeier is going to have to stand out in backup duty in the preseason and other limited opportunities to have any shot at becoming a starting competitor with another team. Nussmeier is going to have to seize every opportunity he gets to become a starting quarterback in the NFL.