NFL analyst wants Will Howard’s Pittsburgh Steelers to draft LSU QB amid no Aaron Rodgers call (Image via Getty: Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard)
ESPN’s Ben Solak released a list of college football quarterbacks who would be deemed fit for NFL teams. One of them had LSU Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the third round, 99th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder received a Scouts Inc. ranking of QB3. He recorded 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns [one rushing TD], and five interceptions with a 67.7 percent completion rate in the 2025 season.As for how he’s connected to Pittsburgh: Garrett’s father, Doug Nussmeier, and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy know each other from their shared Dallas Cowboys days. When McCarthy was the head coach, Nussmeier was the quarterbacks coach.
Plus, the 2026 draft prospect is a sharp QB who could quickly execute McCarthy’s “gun-heavy, drop back-heavy offense.”
Steelers’ top 2026 NFL Draft prospect Garrett Nussmeier compared to Will Howard
Coupled with familial connection, the Steelers need a “developmental QB2” with more mobility than 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard. Garrett could fill that need. [The Ohio State national champion, Howard, was not mentioned beyond that point. Neither was Mason Rudolph. Howard may have to compete for QB2 role.]
Anyhow, coming back to Nussmeier, it’s the ball security that is attractive about the 2026 draft prospect. He’s 6-foot-2 with 9 1/8-inch hands. He has had over 1,800 career snaps at LSU, but only seven fumbles.Apart from that trait, he is also a strong pocket navigator and has a crafty arm that can throw balls well in intermediate windows.The analyst further said that Nussmeier could learn a lot playing behind Aaron Rodgers, that is, if the veteran decides to return to Pittsburgh as their starting signal-caller this season.
Aaron Rodgers may help young quarterback with risk management
Nussmeier needs help in the risk management department, and Rodgers is a remarkable risk manager who reads the defense quickly, doesn’t hold the ball too long, and avoids dangerous throws that could result in fumbles or interceptions.If Rodgers shows any interest in developing a young QB behind him, Nussmeier could benefit from it. In 2025, the LSU product couldn’t give his best due to a core injury, but his 2024 film is nothing short of a Day 2 quarterback.If he goes up to the third round, it could be because of the core injury concerns. And if he ends up in Pittsburgh for 2026, he may have a year of recovery, as there would be no expectations for immediate results and no QB pressures on just one.He may play some only if Rodgers is scheduled to return. This looks like a valuable ‘redshirt scenario’ where Nussmeier recovers while Rodgers steps up for Pittsburgh. Only time will tell, however, if the ayahuasca-retreat lover wants to return…
