Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Gardner Minshew


Week 1 Projections

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Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Marcus Mariota News

Marcus Mariota Remains an Injury Away from Playing Time in Washington

Friday, March 27, 11:07 AM

Across 11 games (eight starts) in 2025, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 65.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also remained a productive player with his legs, rushing for 297 yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts. Mariota was forced into more playing time than Washington would have liked in 2025, as star quarterback Jayden Daniels played in just seven games due to knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries. Still, Mariota profiles as one of the better backup quarterback options in the NFL, and the Commanders re-signed him to a one-year deal for the 2026 season in early March. When Mariota gets a chance to play, his dual-threat ability makes him a quality streaming option for fantasy managers, especially in two-quarterback formats. Given Daniels' durability question marks, Mariota should at least be on the radar of deep-league managers entering 2026.


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

Gardner Minshew News

Gardner Minshew Reaches Agreement on One-Year Deal With Arizona

Monday, March 9, 2:06 PM

Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew reached an agreement on Monday on a one-year, $8.25 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Cardinals have released Kyler Murray (foot), but even with the addition of Minshew, the Cardinals intend to keep veteran Jacoby Brissett as their starting QB in 2026. It means that Minshew will be the backup in the desert next season. The 29-year-old gunslinger spent last year in Kansas City, backing up Patrick Mahomes. The forer sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 out of Washington State appeared in four games (one start) and went 6-for-13 for 37 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Minshew injured his knee in his lone start late in the 2025 season and didn't play again after Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury. A Pro Bowler in 2023 with the Colts, Minshew won't be on the two-QB superflex radar unless Brissett misses time with an injury.


Marcus Mariota vs. Gardner Minshew

Still trying to decide between Mariota and Minshew? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Marcus Mariota is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Gardner Minshew is projected to score 0.0 points.