Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Quarterback Makes the Team

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Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Quarterback Makes the Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Dodson | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 4:51 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun was waived with an injury designation Sunday. That means seventh-round pick Garrett Nussmeier has won the third quarterback spot behind Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields.

The Chiefs can retain Oladokun’s rights if he clears waivers and is placed on the Reserve/Injured list or signed to the practice squad. Oladokun started two games for the Chiefs in 2025 and entered the season the favorite for the final backup quarterback spot. There was no word on what injury Oladokun sustained, but he spent a portion of the preseason in concussion protocol.

Nussmeier started the final preseason game Friday, which resulted in a 9-9 tie, against the Seattle Seahawks. Nussmeier went 22-for-34 for 198 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

“It was a valuable time for him,” head coach Andy Reid said of Nussmeier after Friday’s preseason finale. “He had to go through the entire prep for the game, the ups and downs of the game. He had the interception, and he rallied back and did some nice things. I thought he handled things right.”

Nussmeier fell to the seventh round after a rocky senior campaign at LSU. He was diagnosed with a cyst in his back that was applying pressure to a nerve, which caused persistent pain in his oblique. He was a first-round talent coming into last year, and he’ll seemingly learn behind Mahomes this season and beyond.