Who Should I Start? Aaron Rodgers or Sam Darnold

Friday, June 20, 12:37 AM

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo imagines that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme will take many of the quick-game concepts from the West Coast offense that will help get the ball out of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' hand to keep him upright and take advantage of his quick release. It could mean lots of slants to receiver DK Metcalf and plenty of Shanahan-style concepts like wide-zone runs and play-action passing built off those runs. DeFabo also thinks they will lean heavily on formations that put four eligible receivers on one side of the formation. Metcalf doesn't have much competition for targets in Pittsburgh, but he comes to the Steel City on a decline since 2020 and is now entering a run-first offense with an aging QB that is probably playing in his final season. The 27-year-old physical freak can do damage on slants, and his overall production could come down to his chemistry with Rodgers. RotoBaller has Metcalf on the WR2/3 borderline in 2025.

Thursday, June 19, 12:24 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games to lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, the former third overall pick in 2018 finished on a sour note in his final two games and knows he must prove himself again in 2025 with a new team. Darnold has familiarity with new Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from their one year together in San Fran in 2023, but the move from Minnesota to Seattle is definitely a downgrade in terms of overall offense and the weapons he'll have in Seattle. The 28-year-old was excellent throwing downfield in 2024, but it helped to have one of the best receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a repeat of 2024, when Darnold finished as the QB9.