Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or C.J. Stroud

Tuesday, February 10, 1:44 PM

The San Francisco 49ers continue to say that they plan to hold onto quarterback Mac Jones, who signed a two-year, $8.41 million contract in March of last year. The Athletic's Matt Barrows thinks the trade market for Jones this offseason "will be robust," and "there's a good chance they'll get an offer they can't refuse." Jones displayed excellent processing skills in 2025 and is well-liked in the Niners' locker room. The 27-year-old former first-round pick (15th overall) by the New England Patriots in 2021 out of Alabama kept San Fran's season afloat in 2025 when Brock Purdy was injured, going 5-3 as a starter and throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games played (eight starts). With Sam Darnold as an example, some NFL teams looking for a QB could decide to take a chance on Jones instead of risk a draft pick on a young signal-caller.

Tuesday, January 20, 12:30 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, becoming just the second QB since 1991 to throw four picks in a playoff half. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL draft has rapidly regressed since his impressive rookie season. The Texans are expected to pick up his fifth-year option, but so far, the Texans are non-committal on a long-term contract extension for Stroud. Under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley in 2025, Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Despite having three playoff wins in his three seasons, Stroud has just five TDs with six interceptions and seven fumbles (two lost) in the postseason. Stroud said he was still "getting adjusted" to the new offense this year. Perhaps he'll be better in 2026 if Caley sticks around as the OC, but for fantasy purposes, Stroud has become a QB2 instead of a legitimate QB1 option.