Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Kyler Murray

Friday, November 21, 11:00 AM

With Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) missing time due to both knee and elbow injuries, backup QB Marcus Mariota has gotten extended playing time in 2025. Across seven games (five starts) this season, the 32-year-old has completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. Mariota also brings some juice with his legs, rushing for 193 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts. However, Daniels was able to avoid surgery on his dislocated left elbow, which could allow him to return to the field shortly after the Commanders' Week 12 bye. At the same time, Washington is out of the playoff mix with a 3-8 record, so the team could choose to shut Daniels down and play for 2026. Still, the Commanders will face one of the NFL's best defenses in the Denver Broncos in Week 13. Mariota does not profile as a starting fantasy QB option in Week 13, which may be his last chance to start before Daniels returns.

Saturday, November 8, 10:56 AM

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) could be traded or released next offseason as his future with the team is in limbo, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Murray maintained a 68.1 percent completion rate with 962 passing yards, 173 rushing yards, seven total touchdowns, and four turnovers through the first five games this season. He then missed three games due to injury, and his absence was extended even further this week as Arizona placed him on injured reserve. Although Murray is sidelined due to injury, there has been some speculation about whether he would have still been benched for Jacoby Brissett even if healthy. Regardless of the behind-the-scenes details, Schefter's report paints a clear picture of a potential separation between the Cardinals and their former No. 1 overall selection. Arizona must make a decision on his future by the fifth day of the 2026 league year next March, when an additional $19.5 million becomes guaranteed. The team's options are to release him, keep him, or try to find a trade partner that is willing to take on the final two years of his expensive contract. One source told Schefter that "separation is imminent" between the two parties, but there's still plenty of time for that sentiment to change between now and March. In the meantime, it'll be Brissett under center for the Cardinals.