The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of draft ammunition to work with this year. Thus, although there isn’t a standout quarterback in the first round, the Steelers have plenty of chances to take one in the middle rounds of the draft. One possibility is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Nussmeier is one of several quarterbacks whose draft stock slid during the 2025 season. He’s now viewed as a late Day 2, and potentially a Day 3 pick. Although the Steelers have plenty of picks during those rounds, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko isn’t sure Nussmeier is someone they’d have interest in.
“Mike McCarthy is talking like a guy who wouldn’t really be interested in a Garrett Nussmeier type at all. I think he’s more of a finesse quarterback,” Batko said Saturday on the North Shore Drive podcast. “Seems like someone he would have drafted when he was with the Cowboys, and you’re playing indoors, and you’ve got a pretty nice, climate-controlled environment. You never have to worry about the conditions and winning big games in unpredictable weather. He is not on my radar as much as some of these other big, strapping quarterbacks who fit the Steelers mold.”
Batko mentions that Mike McCarthy might have interest in Nussmeier if he was still in Dallas. And he probably would, considering McCarthy had Garrett’s father, Doug, on his coaching staff in Dallas. That connection to McCarthy is one reason some have speculated about Garrett Nussmeier being a possible Steelers draft pick later this month.
However, sometimes it takes a certain brand of quarterback to succeed in the AFC North. Nussmeier doesn’t have the best build for the position. And although he has the mentality and confidence of a gunslinger, his arm talent isn’t the greatest either. In late-season, cold, physical AFC North battles, some of those traits may hurt him.
Compared to some of the other prospects in the middle rounds, Nussmeier comes up a little short in those areas. While they each have their own faults, players like Drew Allar and Taylen Green probably fit the physical mold better for the position.
For what it’s worth, Mark Kaboly does expect the Steelers to bring Nussmeier in for a pre-draft visit. Having worked with his father, McCarthy will surely be familiar with him. The Steelers have also hosted or will host a few potential mid-round quarterbacks, including Green, Cole Payton and Carson Beck, for pre-draft visits.
Still, there is a lot to like about Garrett Nussmeier. He’s smart, throws with anticipation and accuracy, and processes things quickly after the snap. He certainly could turn out to be a solid NFL quarterback. But to Batko, he might not fit the mold necessary to win in the AFC North as much as some of his classmates.
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