Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Tyson Bagent

Thursday, August 21, 10:15 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (Achilles) is currently battling Achilles tendinitis, but the veteran expects to be ready to go for Week 1. Mariota is entering his second season as the backup to Jayden Daniels in Washington. The 31-year-old is one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL with 74 career starts under his belt, although just 13 of those have come in the past five seasons. If Daniels were to get injured, Mariota's rushing ability (2,156 career rushing yards) would give him some fantasy appeal.

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.