Garrett Nussmeier received little pre-draft contact with the Chiefs

Q: Why did Garrett Nussmeier fall in the NFL Draft?

Garrett Nussmeier's draft stock fell due to a decline in performance during his final season at LSU, attributed to abdominal pain caused by a cyst on his spine.

Q: What was Garrett Nussmeier's draft position in 2026?

Garrett Nussmeier was selected as the 249th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Q: How did Garrett Nussmeier feel about being drafted by the Chiefs?

Garrett Nussmeier expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join the Chiefs, emphasizing his excitement to learn from head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Q: What notable move did the Chiefs make during the draft?

The Chiefs traded up to the sixth overall pick to select cornerback Mansoor Delane, which Nussmeier praised as acquiring the best corner in the league.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Garrett Nussmeier #18 of the LSU Tigers looks on prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images On Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired the 249th selection of the 2026 NFL Draft in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the television broadcast transitioned to “The Pick Is In,” there was little indication that the ninth-to-last player selected would merit significant fanfare. However, the *NFL Network* telecast quickly transitioned to the podium in Pittsburgh as LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was announced as the newest Chief. Nussmeier — the son of former NFL quarterback and current New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier — was widely expected to hear his name in the draft’s first 100 picks. Entering his final season in Baton Rouge, he was considered one of the class’s best quarterbacks and had first-round buzz. It was not meant to be. Nussmeier’s play fell off badly in 2025 as he battled abdominal pain. During the NFL Scouting Combine in March, doctors identified a cyst on Nussmeier’s spine as the root cause of the ailment. He appeared set to slip out of the draft over concerns from teams before stopped the slide. Nussmeier spoke briefly with local media after being selected. While the wait was longer than expected, he was more than happy with the landing spot working with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “Obviously, it was difficult for me sitting there and not understanding why,” he remarked. “I have belief in myself and where I believe I should have been valued. But at the end of the day, I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I’ve said throughout this process—it’s not when, it’s where. I couldn’t be more blessed to go to such a great team and such a great organization.” As the draft neared its conclusion, Nussmeier confirmed that he was speaking with interested teams about signing as an undrafted free agent before being delighted to see the Kansas City area code on his draft call. The Chiefs — who boast star quarterback — unsurprisingly had little contact with Nussmeier’s camp throughout the draft process. “It was pretty minimal,” Nussmeier recalled. “It’s kind of crazy how some teams do their work and like to hide who they like, and some like to show it. It’s a big chess match. I’m just so excited. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn and develop and be under a great coach and behind one of the best quarterbacks of all time.“ Now, the work starts. “I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys,” exclaimed Nussmeier. “Coach Reid with his unbelievable offensive mind, and sitting behind Patrick, learning from him, hopefully picking up things and seeing the game through his eyes. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and I’m really grateful.” The Chiefs made a much more notable addition from LSU on the draft’s first night, when the organizatio aggressively to take cornerback Mansoor Delane. Nussmeier can attest to the wisdom of the move. “We got the best corner in the league—that’s all I know,” he declared of his now college and professional teammate. “Y’all are about to see.”