The Kansas City Chiefs have an unexpected quarterback decision developing behind Patrick Mahomes, with quarterback Justin Fields and seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier both making strong cases for a roster spot.

The Chiefs traded a 2027 sixth-round pick for Fields this offseason and later used a seventh-round pick on Nussmeier. It was the first time since 2017 that Kansas City used draft capital on a quarterback, according to Sports Illustrated.

“We know they have Justin Fields in there, the former starter. Nussmeier has been pushing and certainly a situation to keep an eye on behind Patrick Mahomes,” said NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Fields came into camp as the expected QB2, but Nussmeier has done enough to make the Chiefs take a closer look at the position.

“Another interesting question for the Chiefs quarterbacks is what happens behind Patrick Mahomes. Garrett Nussmeier, a late draft pick, has had an excellent, excellent training camp,” Rapoport said on Rita Buket on August 30.

With Mahomes expected to lead the room, the Chiefs could bring a massive impact from Fields' NFL experience and Nussmeier's strong preseason play as they build depth behind their starter.

That leaves general manager Brett Veach with a few options as Kansas City prepares to finalize its roster.

Fields enters the final year of his contract with a $3 million 2026 cap hit, while Nussmeier signed a four-year, $4.5 million rookie deal.

According to Arrowhead Addict, carrying three quarterbacks would give the Chiefs extra depth behind Mahomes after his knee injury, but it would also use a valuable 53-man roster spot.

“My understanding is Patrick Mahomes is on track to start Week 1, which, if you followed closely the kind of training camp that he has had, is no surprise. He was out there on Day 1,” Rapoport added.

Nussmeier's early showing has also brought more attention to the unusual path that led him to Kansas City.

Could Nussmeier move up the Chiefs' depth chart?

Garrett Nussmeier has taken an unexpected route to the Kansas City Chiefs. The former LSU quarterback was once seen as a potential first-round pick, but his final college season did not go as planned, and his draft stock dropped.

According to Heavy, Kansas City eventually took a chance on him in the seventh round. Since then, Nussmeier has started to turn heads during the preseason, including those of head coach Andy Reid.

“Every time he’s in, he moves the ball,” Reid said, per the Associated Press. “So I look at that. And then any of the mistakes will correct as we go. But his past production has been really positive. And he gets it. He works hard,” Reid said, per the Associated Press.

Reid also praised the quarterback's football background and attention to detail.

“His dad’s a coach, and he grew up that way, knowing about detail, and so he’s doing a nice job. We’ve loaded him up. I mean, we haven’t pulled back on anything with him,” Reid added.

For a seventh-round pick, Nussmeier has already earned plenty of opportunities to show what he can do.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Debanjali Rakshit