Packers Wanted This Star CFB QB to Replace Malik Willis Before Chiefs Drafted Him, New Rumors Reveal

The Kansas City Chiefs' selection of Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft ruined a plan the Green Bay Packers were hoping to pull off in their search for a new backup quarterback.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Packers had interest in signing Nussmeier as an undrafted free agent to replace Malik Willis as their No. 2 quarterback.

It never came to pass because the Chiefs took a flyer on Nussmeier with the 249th overall selection in a draft that had 257 total picks.

Nussmeier's fall became one of the late-developing stories of the draft.

The LSU standout was generally regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the class, with B/R's NFL scouting department having him ranked fourth behind Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and Drew Allar.

There wound up being nine quarterbacks selected ahead of Nussmeier. Athan Kaliakmanis of Rutgers and Behren Morton of Texas Tech were taken before his name got called.

Grading Garrett Nussmeier Pick

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One explanation given as to why Nussmeier went later than expected came from The MMQB's Albert Breer, who reported that a combination of a spinal cyst discovered during Nussmeier's medical evaluation at the scouting combine and disappointing tape from the 2025 season caused his fall.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted even if the the spinal cyst eventually requires surgery to be removed, it's a "minimally invasive procedure" with a two-to-three week recovery period and no short- or long-term risks.

The Packers have made a habit of using late-round draft picks to fill their backup quarterback spot since Love became the starter in 2023. Sean Clifford was their No. 2 option in 2023 after being drafted in the fifth round that same year.

Green Bay used a 2025 seventh-round pick to acquire Willis from the Tennessee Titans in August 2024. He developed well in head coach Matt LaFleur's system, earning a three-year, $67.5 million contract from the Miami Dolphins as a free agent in March to become their starter.

Nussmeier still wound up in an environment that could be great for his development. He won't play for the Chiefs as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy, but working with Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach David Girardi could help him turn into a quality player who eventually gets a shot to showcase his skills if he gets thrust into game action.