Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold
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 |
Marcus Mariota News
Monday, March 9, 1:25 PM
The Washington Commanders re-signed backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to a one-year, $7 million deal on Monday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Mariota can make up to $11 million with performance-based incentives. In terms of experience and ability, the 32-year-old veteran is one of the top backup QB options in the NFL. Starter Jayden Daniels battled multiple injuries and missed significant time in 2025, leading to Mariota playing in 11 games (eight starts). The former second overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015 out of Oregon completed 61.2% of his passes for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also had 297 rushing yards and another score on the ground. The Commanders are hoping that Mariota won't see as much of the field in 2026, though, which would mean Daniels has been able to stay healthy in his third NFL campaign.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.2 | 15.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sam Darnold News
Monday, February 9, 12:37 PM
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold completed 19 of his 38 pass attempts for 202 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. He also rushed for five yards and took just one sack. The veteran signal-caller didn't make a ton of breathtaking plays, but more importantly, he played turnover-free football while letting the defense and rushing attack win the big game. It was a storybook moment for Darnold, who started his career as a so-called first-round "bust" in New York. His NFL voyage took him through Carolina, San Francisco, and Minnesota before he signed with the Seahawks last offseason. During his first year in Seattle, he played all 17 regular-season games, completing 67.7% of his pass attempts for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. For the second year in a row, he eclipsed 4,000 passing yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal and a fantastic offensive line in front of him, Darnold should be due for more success in the future. He'll rank as a fringe top-14 quarterback entering 2026 fantasy football drafts.
Marcus Mariota vs. Sam Darnold
Still trying to decide between Mariota and Darnold? 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 Sam Darnold is projected to score 20.2 points.
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