Who Should I Start? Aaron Rodgers or Michael Penix Jr.

Tuesday, February 24, 6:50 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday that the team has not set a deadline for impending free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in 2026, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. However, Khan told reporters that he's been in communication with Rodgers and doesn't "foresee this going like it did last year." The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer was considering retirement last offseason and didn't agree to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh until just before mandatory minicamp in June. Rodgers led the Steelers to the postseason last year, but he finished as the QB19 in overall fantasy points with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games. It remains to be seen if new head coach Mike McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with Rodgers in Green Bay, will be able to persuade Rodgers to continue his career in the Steel City. If Rodgers does return to the Steelers in 2026, he'll be more of a midrange QB2 in fantasy, at best.

Tuesday, February 24, 1:14 PM

The Atlanta Falcons continue to be non-commital on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) being their starter under center in 2026, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "I'm not big on giving out positions in February. I think you guys know how I feel about Michael, and I'm excited about his trajectory. I also know he's focused on his rehab, which is the right thing to do," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. Penix is recovering from a torn left ACL in 2025, so it's understandable for Atlanta's new front office and coaching staff to be non-committal on him going into next season. Penix expects to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season this fall, but the reality is we won't have a better idea of his availability until this summer. The former first-rounder wasn't all that impressive in 2025 before his injury, and he's now rehabbing from his third torn ACL. Penix is determined to heal up and return as the starter, but he'll have to prove it to the team's new brass first. Now might be a perfect time to buy low on Penix in dynasty/keeper leagues, although his injury history dating back to college is worrisome.