There are more than 50 weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft, but one name is already circulating in trade rooms and mock boards alike. Garrett Nussmeier, the LSU quarterback, was supposed to be off the board last April, rumored to be eyed by a particular AFC North team before a last-season slide cooled his stock. Known for his fearless deep balls and gunslinger mentality, Nussmeier had a clear shot at a first-round selection in 2025. But that was until he succumbed to a string of injuries, and his inconsistent play down the stretch turned certainty into speculation.
Rather than roll the dice, Nussmeier returned to Baton Rouge for the senior season. It wasn’t just a run-it-back decision; it was strategic. The young QB had unfinished business, and 2024 offered him a full starter’s spotlight. He responded with 4,052 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 64.2% completion rate. Still, 12 interceptions in 13 games and a mid-season slump threatened to overshadow his upside.
Now back for 2025, he remains a top pick candidate. Garrett is raw but he’s brimming with promise. As Kevin Clarke put it on This is Football, “Nussmeier is my number two pick in the draft next year. An NFL team is going to fall in love with his quick processing, and he just fires it in there,” and this will prevent him from getting sacked.
That fire is what separates Nussmeier from the pack and could make him the top pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid believes confidence is what drives the QB. “He has the confidence that he can fit a football through a coin slot. Like that’s the confidence that he plays with; there’s no window that’s too tight for him. He tries to fit it through, and just that gunslinger mentality that he plays with.” And with LSU upgrading its receiving corps with transfers from Oklahoma, Kentucky, and others, there’s a belief the quarterback’s precision will be better rewarded this fall.
But Nussmeier doesn’t come without flaws; he has great tools but needs significant improvement. The primary concern? Turnovers and composure under pressure. But with better weapons and another off-season to refine his game, Nussmeier is positioned to silence doubters. He will once again lead the Tigers’ offense in 2025, aiming to build on last year’s 3738 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 12 games. It’s less about flashing brilliance this time and more about sustaining it.
If Garrett Nussmeier levels up his decision-making, he could be more than a draft pick. He could be the quarterback for a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the one that almost called his name in 2025. And come next April, they may not pass on him twice.
Is Garrett Nussmeier the missing piece in the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, Mike Tomlin‘s team has been on a quarterback carousel with no clear long-term answer. Despite addressing their offensive line and adding depth, the QB position remains unsettled. Will Howard, taken in the sixth round this year, isn’t viewed as the future, just a placeholder. The franchise is keeping an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft.
That’s why LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier still looms in Steelers draft conversations. He was in the mix in 2025, but it is speculated he could still land in Pittsburgh a year later. As the 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs wrote, “Howard is a good add at that stage of the game, but Nussmeier was trending towards a potential first-round ticket last season before falling apart down the stretch.”
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The Steelers need a QB who can compete with Mahomes, Allen, and Herbert to turn their Lombardi dream into reality. As Joe Sloan said during spring camp, “Garrett was prepared to play, but then there are certain things that he needed to go through that you can only get prepared for by playing. You can only get the experience by playing. I think he’s learned from that.” He was learning and improving.
If Mike Tomlin’s squad waits another year, they might find the missing piece on their team. Garrett Nussmeier could be their long-term answer. And if the stars align, maybe it wasn’t a miss. Just destiny, delayed by a season, waiting for him to wear the black and gold.
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