Who Should I Start? Aaron Rodgers or Tyler Shough

Friday, December 26, 8:16 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) is listed on the team's injury report but practiced in full all week and does not carry an injury designation ahead of a Week 17 divisional showdown with the Cleveland Browns. Still, his status as the starter will be worth monitoring. The Green Bay Packers are set to host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, and if the Ravens lose, Pittsburgh will clinch the AFC North title before Sunday's contest kicks off. In that scenario, the Steelers could opt to start Mason Rudolph and rest Rodgers ahead of the playoffs. If Rodgers does play, he could struggle to provide fantasy value on the road against a Cleveland defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, he will be without his top wide receiver, as DK Metcalf begins a two-game suspension following an altercation with a fan in Week 16. Desperate fantasy managers could view Rodgers as a low-end QB2 if he starts, but this situation is best avoided if possible.

Monday, December 29, 6:27 PM

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough continues to get better with more playing time. For the second straight week, the 26-year-old threw for over 300 yards in the Week 17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Shough went 22-for-27 passing on Sunday for a season-high 333 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 34-26 win. He added six rushing yards on four attempts. The second-rounder out of Louisville has latched on to star receiver Chris Olave, but beyond him, he doesn't have a lot of experienced options, which makes his rise in the second half of the 2025 season that much more impressive. In 10 games (eight starts), Shough has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts for 2,125 yards, nine TDs, and five interceptions, adding 152 rushing yards and two more touchdowns. In the season finale this weekend against Atlanta, Shough will be a popular streaming option in fantasy as he looks to close out his rookie campaign on a high note.