The Green Bay Packers came away with six new additions after the 2026 NFL Draft. Yet, not one of them was a quarterback to replace former backup Malik Willis.
It was a mostly defense-focused draft for the Packers, who selected two cornerbacks, a defensive tackle, a defensive end, along with a center and a kicker.
That is not too surprising considering the number of losses the team suffered on defense in free agency. Still, given how important Willis became when Jordan Love went down with injuries over the past two seasons, the quarterback room arguably needed another option.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, one potential addition was taken off the board before Green Bay could make its move.
Packers Missed On Garrett Nussmeier Late In Draft
With the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 249 overall, the Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. It was a surprising fall for the former Tigers signal-caller, who had first-round projections entering last season.
His slide was so steep that the Packers believed they might be able to land him after the draft as an undrafted free agent.
“The Packers searched for quarterback help last week. Green Bay showed interest in signing LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier if he went undrafted (the Chiefs nabbed him in the seventh round),” Fowler wrote. “They instead signed Virginia Tech passer Kyron Drones in undrafted free agency.”
Drones now becomes a developmental project for head coach Matt LaFleur, who has already proven capable of developing quarterbacks, as seen with both Jordan Love and Malik Willis.
Still, Nussmeier also landed in a positive situation of his own, where he will learn under Andy Reid while sitting behind Patrick Mahomes and backup Justin Fields.
Packers Could Still Explore QB Trade Market
Drones will now compete with Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord for a role behind Love. But even that competition may not be settled, as Green Bay could still explore other options this offseason.
“And, keep in mind, should Indy’s Anthony Richardson Sr. be traded, he’s looking for an extension of the McVay-Shanahan-LaFleur tree from which to learn. Considering the success Matt LaFleur had with Malik Willis, Richardson will make sense if Green Bay has any interest,” Fowler said.
The Packers have consistently been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Richardson since reports surfaced that he and the Colts could be heading toward a split.
The question becomes what Green Bay would have to give up to acquire him. Their draft capital has already taken a hit following the Micah Parsons trade, though Richardson likely would not cost a first-round pick.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick could be enough. Green Bay is currently projected to have eight selections in the 2027 draft, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Specifically, Richardson should interest teams without a defined quarterback plan that may be looking for a signal-caller in the 2027 draft,” Knox wrote. “A QB-need team could get him into camp, give him a look on the practice field, and possibly give him an audition during the season before committing to a rookie a year from now.”
Packers’ QB Plan Backfired After Chiefs Late-Round Move: Report