Kansas City Chiefs rookie QB Garrett Nussmeier was considered a first-round prospect in the earliest stages of the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. A number of factors contributed to his slide in the draft, but all things happen for a reason. In the case of Nussmeier, someone with firsthand knowledge believes he might have ended up in the perfect situation.

In a recent interview with USA Today’s Ed Easton Jr., former Chiefs QB Alex Smith spoke about Nussmeier’s situation. He keyed in on the privilege of learning behind Patrick Mahomes, and how Andy Reid’s system is one that’s favorable for all types of quarterbacks.

Garrett Nussmeier won the lottery landing with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Alex Smith is given a lot of credit for how he went about business during the 2017 NFL season. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid praise him for the mentorship he provided to a young Mahomes.

A lot of veteran quarterbacks could’ve felt threatened by their team trading up into the top-10 to select a quarterback. Smith, however, took it upon himself to act in rare selflessness. He acted as the perfect mentor to Mahomes, leading by example in his preparation and professionalism. His mentorship and guidance helped shape Mahomes into a superstar early in his career.

The dynamics of the situations are surely different. Mahomes is at no risk of being replaced by Nussmeier outside of the possibility the rookie could be an injury-fill-in. What’s the key similarity, though? Mahomes now has a chance to truly pay that Smith’s mentorship forward to a once-promising quarterback prospect.

“I think regardless of where you’re drafted, he wants to reach his potential, and as a quarterback, you’re such a product of the people around you, the 10 guys in the huddle, the system you run, the environment, and positions you get put in,” Smith said. “What more could you ask for to play for Andy Reid and learn from Patrick Mahomes? What a gift. I don’t care who you are, I don’t care how much you want to play right now, this is a gift, and take it. There’s so much you can learn, not only in the classroom, but also from one of the best in Andy Reid. This guy’s been around so many quarterbacks that I think the unique thing is that all have their own tool set, and Andy’s found a way for them to utilize their tool set and be them.”

Nussmeier recognizes the opportunity that he has in front of him.

“Really excited for this opportunity to learn under (Patrick Mahomes),” Nussmeier said at rookie minicamp. “Steal some things… see the game through his eyes.” 

Andy Reid’s system is also favorable for Garrett Nussmeier’s Chiefs development

There’s plenty of steal-of-the-draft optimism surrounding Nussmeier. He’s one season removed from completing 64.2% of his passes for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. On the flip side, there’s pessimism surrounding the injury concerns, inconsistent play, mechanics, and processing.

Nussmeier is already set up for success under Andy Reid. It’s the way he caters his system to match the skillset of the quarterback. That combined with the masterclass he’ll receive from Mahomes? It’s a gift to a rookie quarterback.

“This offense looked very different when Donovan (McNabb) was running it, or Michael Vick, very different when I was running it, to what it looks like now with Patrick (Mahomes),” Smith said. “He has an amazing way of tailoring things to what you do well. If you’re Garrett (Nussmeier) you get to see Patrick operate at the highest level. I think the thing that gets lost, Patrick, I think is the best quarterback in the NFL when it comes to playing at the line of scrimmage. Seeing things pre-snap, getting his team in and out of the best plays, protecting himself up front diagnosing what the defense is trying to do. And so for young quarterback, get to see that live in action, see a guy prepare every single day to do it at the highest level, like again, a gift.”

It’s a powerful full circle moment for Smith, who went through the same type of scenario when Mahomes was a rookie. Now, it’ll be up to Nussmeier to observe, learn, and adapt all thaat he can to his playstyle.