Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or Michael Penix Jr.


Week 1 Projections

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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Lamar Jackson News

Lamar Jackson "Absolutely" Wants to Stay With Ravens Long-Term

Wednesday, May 27, 5:37 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said he "absolutely" wants to stay with the Ravens long-term, according to Giana Han of The Baltimore Banner. Owner Steve Bisciotti said the team wanted to sign the two-time MVP to a contract extension before the start of free agency in March, but general manager Eric DeCosta later said they "ran out of time" and were forced to restructure Jackson's contract instead. Baltimore lowered the 29-year-old's 2026 salary cap hit to $34.39 million by restructuring his contract, but his 2027 cap hit will increase to $84.34 million. Jackson didn't answer whether he wants to bet on himself and play out this season, and was mum on the details of his contract talks with the front office. The former 32nd overall pick back in 2018 out of Louisville is coming off an injury-plagued and disappointing 2025 campaign, but he appears motivated and re-energized while learning new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's scheme for the upcoming season. As long as he stays on the field, Jackson is an easy QB bounce-back candidate, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 QB in single-year fantasy formats.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Michael Penix Jr. News

Michael Penix Jr. Not Cleared for 11-on-11 Work

Wednesday, May 27, 1:38 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has not yet been cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills during OTA practices, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee last year and underwent season-ending surgery in mid-November. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Washington has already taken part in 7-on-7 drills and has done individual work during the Falcons' offseason program, but he's still behind as he eventually looks to compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting QB gig this summer in training camp. Reports have suggested that Penix is doing great in his rehab, but until he's at full speed, he'll be fighting an uphill battle to win the starting QB job to open the 2026 campaign. There are plenty of playmakers in Atlanta in an offense that could improve under Stefanski, but Penix's injury history alone -- he tore his ACL twice in college -- has seriously put a damper on his long-term fantasy outlook.


Lamar Jackson vs. Michael Penix Jr.

Still trying to decide between Jackson and Penix Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Lamar Jackson is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points.