Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Tyler Shough

Friday, June 6, 3:50 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew II (collarbone) has been throwing during voluntary organized team activities. Minshew broke his collarbone in 2024 while with the Las Vegas Raiders and was limited to 10 games (nine starts), in which he threw for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his only year in the desert. Now that he's recovered from the injury, the 29-year-old signal-caller is expected to open the 2025 season as the backup to starter Patrick Mahomes, with Bailey Zappe likely being named the third-stringer. Minshew was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, but he'll be off the fantasy radar completely in his seventh season in the NFL as long as Mahomes stays healthy.

Saturday, July 19, 1:30 PM

The New Orleans Saints and quarterback Tyler Shough reached an agreement on Saturday on a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal worth $10,795,000, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Shough, who was taken 40th overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, is the last player that was taken this year to secure a fully-guaranteed deal. Although Shough will have competition from Spencer Rattler for the starting QB job in his rookie season, he figures to be the favorite to start under center in Week 1 this fall after Derek Carr's abrupt retirement this offseason. The 25-year-old spent seven years in college, so he has plenty of experience, and he threw for 3,195 yards and 23 yards in 2024 at Louisville. He has good size and arm strength, but his downfield accuracy is a concern. There won't be much fantasy upside here early on if he wins the starting gig. Think low-end QB2 as a game manager more than anything.