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.

Friday, November 28, 2:29 PM

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) is eligible to return from Injured Reserve as early as Week 14, and while the team prepares for a Week 13 matchup with the Buccaneers, he was spotted putting in work off to the side with some of the team's athletic trainers. Veteran Jacoby Brissett has been the team's starter since Week 6 and has reinvigorated Arizona's passing offense. Brissett has averaged 314.5 passing yards across his six starts, while throwing at least two touchdowns in five of six. Trey McBride is currently the top-scoring fantasy tight end in the league, and with Marvin Harrioson Jr. (appendix) missing the past two games following an emergency appendectomy, Brissett has transformed Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch into week winners. While the result in the win-loss column has not been as favorable, it seems unlikely that Murray will reclaim the starting job anytime soon, and it's still possible he's already taken his last snap with the team.