Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Jarrett Stidham


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Marcus Mariota News

Marcus Mariota Suffers Sprained MCL, Likely Out for Rest of Preseason

Sunday, August 16, 7:19 AM

Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered a sprained MCL in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Miami Dolphins that will likely keep him out for the rest of the preseason, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's unclear at this time if Mariota's knee injury will keep him sidelined going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season versus the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13. Either way, the Commanders might be in the market for a veteran signal-caller to provide more depth behind starter Jayden Daniels. The other QBs on the roster are Sam Hartman and undrafted rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. The 32-year-old Mariota played a big part in the Commanders' offense a year ago with Daniels only playing in seven games due to injury, although he went 2-6 in his eight starts while throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his 11 total games played.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jarrett Stidham News

Jarrett Stidham Being Pushed for Backup QB Job?

Monday, July 13, 10:02 AM

The Denver Post's Parker Gabriel writes that the battle for the No. 2 quarterback job for the Denver Broncos between Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger this summer is one to watch. Head coach Sean Payton could keep three QBs on the regular-season roster after doing so in 2024 and 2025. Stidham has been Denver's backup signal-caller since Payton arrived in Denver, but Ehlinger has "looked capable of mounting a challenge." The decision won't come down to money, but how Stidham and Ehlinger perform in training camp and the preseason. Stidham has $2 million guaranteed, and Ehlinger has $1 million guaranteed in 2026, although Stidham carries an $8 million salary cap number. The Broncos would save $4.5 million on their cap if he's released and $6.5 million if he's traded. Denver doesn't need the cap flexibility with $29.5 million in cap space. After not starting a regular-season game since 2023, Stidham predictably struggled in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots with Nix out with a fractured ankle in a snowstorm, throwing for 133 yards, one touchdown, and two crucial interceptions in a loss.


Marcus Mariota vs. Jarrett Stidham

Still trying to decide between Mariota and Stidham? 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 1.0 points this week while Jarrett Stidham is projected to score 1.1 points.