Matthew Stafford’s time in the NFL is closer to the end than not, and the Los Angeles Rams could tab Garrett Nussmeier as his heir apparent.
Stafford is coming off an MVP season, and both he and the Rams have already left the door open for his return in 2027. However, Stafford turned 38 in February and is heading into his 18th NFL season.
That is where Nussmeier could make perfect sense for the Rams.
Rams Met With LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier
GettyGarrett Nussmeier of the Louisiana State Tigers throws a pass during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
“LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier has had private workouts recently with the Cowboys, Rams, and Jets, per multiple sources,” NBC Philadelphia’s Ryan Fowler reported on X on April 14.
“A likely Day 2 pick, he’s among the names in the mix for QB3 in the class right alongside Carson Beck, Drew Allar, and a few others including NDSU signal-caller Cole Payton, who teams remain high on.”
This had been the plan for Nussmeier and the Rams.
“I got the Jets coming the next couple days here, I got the Rams coming into town. I’m headed out to Indianapolis. Headed to [Jon] Gruden this weekend, which I’m excited for. That’s going to be a lot of fun. So, excited to get to cut it up with him a little bit,” Nussmeier said on “The Insiders” in March.
“I got a lot of other stuff going on, and I got Zooms every day and things like that, and I’m sure there’ll be a couple more visits in there.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Nussmeier as QB3 in this class.
“Nussmeier is an aggressive competitor who can throw you into or out of games, but his arm talent and command are foundational traits that generally translate well to the NFL,” Brugler wrote in his “The Beast” draft guide. “He projects as a high-level backup and spot starter.”
Garrett Nussmeier Has Franchise Ties
GettyGarrett Nussmeier could be the Rams’ heir for Matthew Stafford in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Nussmeier is the son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who is also his link back to the Rams.
The elder Nussmeier, who was a QB for the Saints during his playing career, was the Rams’ QB coach in 2006 and 2006 under then-head coach Scott Linehan. During that time, he helped Rams QB Marc Bulger reach the second of his two career Pro Bowls.
He has also coached current NFL QBs Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert.
Prescott earned the Pro Bowl No. 2 (out of four in his career) under Nussmeier, while Hurts was the MVP of the Super Bowl amid a winning effort in 2024.
It stands to reason that a coach with such a strong track record would impart as much knowledge as possible on his son, who has not shied away from his connections to the league he is set to join in less than two weeks.
Nussmeier’s experience could give him a leg up over Alabama’s Ty Simpson, this class’ QB2.
“Give me Nuss over Ty Simpson any day if I’m building out an NFL roster .. straight up — not even taking into account the discount,” Big Blue Banter Giants Podcast host Dan Schneier posted on X on April 12. “At least Nuss has started more than 10 games and has some big time flashes, a decent frame for NFL size/speed/level and some kind of upside.”
The Rams own pick No. 61 in Round 2, and selection No. 93 in Round 3, which could make Nussmeier a target in the second pass or via a trade back or up.
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