The New York Jets are once again staring down an offseason with a familiar dilemma: who’s going to be under center in 2026? With few clear-cut answers on the roster and limited options in free agency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jets take a swing at a quarterback in this year’s draft - even in a class that’s light on top-end talent.
Enter LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, a name that’s starting to buzz again after a rocky senior year knocked him off the early-round radar. Once viewed as a potential top pick, Nussmeier saw his stock tumble due to a midseason abdominal injury and inconsistent play that led to a benching. But with draft season heating up, he’s making the most of his opportunity to reintroduce himself to NFL scouts - and the Senior Bowl has been his stage.
Nussmeier has been one of the standout performers in Mobile this week, earning praise for his toughness, poise, and ability to deliver the ball accurately under pressure. Despite still recovering from the injury that derailed his 2025 season, he’s shown a level of command and confidence that’s turning heads - including those of Jets evaluators in attendance.
This is a quarterback class that’s wide open after Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is in the mix, but with Dante Moore opting to return to Oregon, the door is wide open for someone like Nussmeier to climb. And he’s doing just that.
While Nussmeier doesn’t boast elite physical tools - he’s listed at 6'1", 205 pounds and doesn’t have a cannon for an arm - he’s shown he can operate with rhythm and timing, make smart decisions, and manage an offense with maturity. Those are traits NFL coaches value, especially when paired with the kind of grit he’s displayed by competing while not at full health.
It’s clear that Nussmeier’s dip in production last season wasn’t entirely on him. LSU’s offense struggled as a whole, and his injury only compounded the issues. But scouts are starting to remember the version of Nussmeier that looked sharp and efficient as a junior - the one who flashed starter-level tools and a fearless mentality in the pocket.
He’s not likely to overtake Simpson for the QB2 spot in this class - at least not yet - but Nussmeier is trending toward a top-50 selection, and the Jets are one of several QB-needy teams who could take a close look. With two second-round picks at No. 33 and No. 44, New York is in a prime position to take a calculated swing.
There’s a lot to weigh here. Nussmeier turns 24 next week, which is older than most incoming rookies.
He’s also a bit undersized and doesn’t have the arm strength to wow on deep throws. But he’s got something that’s hard to teach: composure.
He plays with a veteran’s calm, and when he’s in rhythm, he can pick apart a defense with precision.
For a Jets regime that’s under pressure to finally stabilize the quarterback position - and fast - Nussmeier could be a worthwhile investment. Pairing him with a veteran could give the team flexibility and a potential long-term solution if he develops the way some scouts believe he can.
With the pre-draft process just getting started, Nussmeier is a name to watch. If he keeps stacking strong performances like this week in Mobile, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the back end of Round 1. For teams like the Jets, who are desperate for answers at quarterback, that kind of rise might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.