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New Chiefs quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is embracing the opportunity ahead of him.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, once a  projected No. 1 pick, came nowhere close to that in the NFL draft as he landed in the seventh round.

That’s the aftermath of his rough final year at LSU in 2025, marred by injuries and on-field struggles. Nussmeier played in nine games and completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns versus five interceptions for the Tigers. That marked a steep drop from 2024, when he completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns versus 12 picks as a Manning Award finalist.

The Chiefs took him in the final round amid immediate needs at the position with quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from an ACL tear. Nussmeier opened up about his journey during the first day of rookie minicamp on Friday.

“My faith is a big part of who I am… I’m a son of Jesus Christ before I’m a football player, and so I believe everything happens for a reason,” Nussmeier told reporters on Friday. “I’m grateful for the struggle, I’m grateful to have gone through that because I know it’s going to help me going forward.”

Opportunity Awaits Garrett Nussmeier With Chiefs

GettyGarrett Nussmeier looks to rejuvenate his career with the Chiefs.

Nussmeier joins a quarterback room with Justin Fields and Chis Oladokun while Mahomes’ exact return date remains uncertain. While Nussmeier looks poised to at least be the third quarterback on the depth chart, there’s already been speculation that he could beat out Fields for the starting job until Mahomes comes back healthy.

Fields struggled with the New York Jets last year, amid a 62.7% completion rate for 1,259 yards passing and seven touchdowns versus an interception in nine games. He also rushed for 383 yards and four touchdowns, as the Jets went 2-7 with him under center.

Whether or not Nussmeier wins the job, he has a major opportunity to learn from Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and head coach Andy Reid, also a three-time champion. Reid has built a dynasty in Kansas City since Mahomes came on the scene in 2017 with AFC Championship Game appearances since that time.

“Obviously, there’s so many things. Coach is such a legendary coach and such a great football coach,” Nussmeier said, “Just trying to be a sponge around him. Anything I can take from him, that’s what I’m looking to do.”

Garrett Nussmeier’s Father Coaches in NFL After His Playing Days

The son of  New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, the new Chiefs quarterback grew up learning the game in a way other NFL players haven’t. His father got into coaching in 2001, the year before Garrett Nussmeier was born, after a playing career in the NFL and CFL.

“I think just growing up around the game and just understanding football. Being taught at a young age what a quarterback’s supposed to do; what it’s supposed to look like,” Nussmeier said, “Just trying to fill that role [and] do everything I can to get to know my teammates and get to know some of these guys I’ve never played with before.”