Quarterback?! That’s right, Chiefs select a QB with final NFL Draft pick of 2026
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Chiefs picked LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at No. 249 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Nussmeier missed his final four starts after aggravating an abdominal injury in November.
- Mahomes is rehabbing from a Week 14 knee injury; Justin Fields is the current No. 2 KC QB.
The Chiefs have drafted a quarterback for the first time since selecting superstar signal-caller Patrick Mahomes in 2017.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner entering the 2025 season after coming off a superb 2024 campaign. But injuries slowed him last fall and he fell down most draft boards.
The Chiefs selected him in the seventh and final round of the 2026 NFL Draft, No. 249 overall, on Saturday.
“I went through a lot,” Nussmeier said. “I’m a big believer in my faith and my faith is my foundation ... That’s how I got through the stuff I went through last year.”
Nussmeier suffered an abdominal injury in fall camp that he aggravated in November. He missed the final four starts of LSU’s 2025 season. In nine games, he passed for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
His big year came in 2024. Succeeding Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier passed for 4,052 yards and 29 TDs with 12 interceptions. He was the Texas Bowl MVP as LSU defeated Baylor — in that game, he passed for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Nussmeier has a strong arm and smooth release, according to his NFL.com profile, which describes him as an “undersized pocket passer with legitimate arm talent that has not been able to make up for some flaws in his game.”
Mahomes is rehabilitating from a knee injury suffered in Week 14 last season. The Chiefs also traded for five-year NFL veteran Justin Fields this offseason. Chris Oladokun, who started two games for the injured Mahomes last season, remains on the roster, as well.
Nussmeier said he was disappointed to fall in the draft but happy the Chiefs were the team that eventually called.
“It felt like I was sitting there waiting forever,” he said. “But I couldn’t have been more excited to see that area code pop up.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to learn and develop and be under a great coach (Andy Reid) and obviously behind one of the best quarterbacks of all time. I’m so excited to be in a room with those guys.”
Here’s the Chiefs’ 2026 NFL Draft class
Round 1 (Pick 6): CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Round 1 (Pick 29): DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Round 2 (Pick 40): Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Round 4 (Pick 109): S Jadon Canady, Oregon
Round 5 (Pick 161): RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Round 5 (Pick 176): WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Round 7 (Pick 249): QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 6:18 PM.