Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Brock Purdy

Thursday, February 19, 2:02 PM

After starting games for both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco enters 2026 as an unrestricted free agent. The 2008 first-round draft pick, who has now started for six different teams, recently turned 41, but he has no plans to retire anytime soon. While a handful of teams could be in the market for a bridge quarterback when free agency opens in March, Flacco will likely find more suitors as one of the most reliable backups in the league. He has expressed a willingness to resign with Cincinnati to play behind Joe Burrow, which, outside of a starting role, might be his most valuable landing spot from a fantasy perspective. Flacco finished as a QB1 in four of his six starts with the Bengals, including a stretch of three straight weeks inside the top five, while Burrow has missed meaningful time in three of his first six seasons. As such, Flacco is worth holding through the offseason in superflex dynasty leagues.

Friday, January 16, 3:24 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was far from perfect in his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old completed 18 of 31 pass attempts for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Dating back to the regular season, Purdy has now thrown an interception in four consecutive games. In the Divisional Round, San Francisco will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle completely shut Purdy down in the regular season finale for both teams, holding Purdy to 19 of 27 passing for 127 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pick. The Seahawks defense was dominant throughout the regular season, finishing first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and tied for seventh in sacks (47). Making matters worse for Purdy, he'll be without one of his top receiving weapons in tight end George Kittle (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Wild Card Round. Given the matchup and San Francisco's depleted pass-catching corps, Purdy profiles as a quarterback for fantasy managers to avoid in the Divisional Round.