Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Tyson Bagent

Wednesday, October 22, 2:32 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect much production in a difficult matchup. Mariota has been serviceable in his limited action, completing 64.6% of his passes with a 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while adding some mobility outside the pocket. However, he now faces a Chiefs defense that ranks among the league's best, allowing the fifth-fewest yards per game and just 17.7 points per contest, good for third in the NFL. To make matters worse, Mariota could once again be operating without two of his top pass-catchers as Deebo Samuel (heel) and Terry McLaurin (quad) both remain questionable. With limited weapons and a brutal defensive matchup, Mariota lacks fantasy upside and should remain on the waiver wire in all formats outside of deep superflex leagues.

Saturday, August 23, 12:28 AM

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 20 of 28 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the Bears' 29-27 comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bears agreed on a two-year, $10 million extension with the backup quarterback on Wednesday, and then he overcame a two-score deficit in their final preseason game of the season. Bagent led a 10-play, 87-yard game-winning drive with under 90 seconds to go in the game, which ended in a six-yard touchdown to Jahdae Walker with seven seconds left in the game. Bagent will enter the 2025 season in relief of starting quarterback Caleb Williams, and he proved he can be productive given the opportunity this preseason.