Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Kenny Pickett

Wednesday, January 28, 2:31 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) didn't tear his ACL as initially feared, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Minshew suffered only a bone bruise and did not require surgery. The veteran signal-caller avoided any long-term damage to his knee and is already back to full strength as he heads into free agency in 2026. Minshew was forced into action late in the season after Patrick Mahomes (knee) tore his ACL in Week 15. In his first start of the season in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, Minshew injured his left knee and missed the final few games of the year. The 29-year-old was initially believed to have a torn ACL before the Chiefs said he had a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture. This news might make it more likely that Minshew returns to KC as QB insurance for Mahomes again. In four appearances in 2025, Minshew went 6-for-13 for 37 yards with one interception.

Friday, January 2, 7:24 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll refused to name a starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. "You'll see on Sunday," Carroll said. The head coach added that there is "a rotation in mind" between Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell. Geno Smith (ankle) has already been ruled out. Pickett is expected to make the start against the Chiefs, but he may not play the entire game before giving way to O'Connell, who has yet to play a snap this year. In Pickett's lone start against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, Pickett went 15-for-25 passing for only 64 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Fantasy managers should definitely be staying away from the Raiders' QB situation in Week 18 in a meaningless game.