Arrowhead Pride on Garrett Nussmeier

ArticleChiefs with the highest career stakes this season: Justin FieldsJuly 24, 2026

From the article

If the Kansas City front office were to be entirely honest, the collective would probably prefer that rookie Garrett Nussmeier, the seventh-round pick from April's draft, show enough over the season to take over as Mahomes' backup in 2027.

STACKED’s take

Negative signalRole

Chiefs prefer Nussmeier to develop as Mahomes' 2027 backup over free agent options.

The Kansas City front office reportedly prefers that seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier develop enough during the 2026 season to become Patrick Mahomes' backup in 2027, offering a cost-controlled solution for at least three seasons rather than pursuing expensive free agent backup quarterbacks; this suggests the organization may not view Justin Fields as a long-term backup option.