Who Should I Start? Aaron Rodgers or Marcus Mariota

Saturday, November 22, 7:15 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is officially listed as questionable for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. The 41-year-old suffered a small fracture in his left wrist during Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and his status for Week 12 against the Bears was in serious doubt at the beginning of the week. Rodgers opened the week with a DNP on Wednesday, but was upgraded to a limited participant on both Thursday and Friday, which will give him a shot to suit up on Sunday. The former Green Bay Packer has been solid overall in his first season in Pittsburgh, completing 66.4% of his passes for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. If Rodgers can play Sunday, it would mark his 30th career game against the Bears. He'd profile as a QB2 with how banged up the Bears are defensively. If he can't go, Mason Rudolph would be in line to make his first start of the season.

Friday, November 21, 11:00 AM

With Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) missing time due to both knee and elbow injuries, backup QB Marcus Mariota has gotten extended playing time in 2025. Across seven games (five starts) this season, the 32-year-old has completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. Mariota also brings some juice with his legs, rushing for 193 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts. However, Daniels was able to avoid surgery on his dislocated left elbow, which could allow him to return to the field shortly after the Commanders' Week 12 bye. At the same time, Washington is out of the playoff mix with a 3-8 record, so the team could choose to shut Daniels down and play for 2026. Still, the Commanders will face one of the NFL's best defenses in the Denver Broncos in Week 13. Mariota does not profile as a starting fantasy QB option in Week 13, which may be his last chance to start before Daniels returns.